Common Sources of Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Posted on: February 15, 2024 *Updated on: May 27, 2024
Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are unknowingly transferred from a primary source, such as a workplace, to a secondary location or person. This can happen through various means, often involving individuals who work with or near asbestos.
Key sources of secondary asbestos exposure include:
- Automobiles: Workers may carry asbestos dust into their vehicles, contaminating the fabrics, carpets, and other materials inside the car. The abrasive and clingy nature of asbestos fibers makes them easily attach to these surfaces.
- Furniture: Asbestos fibers can be transferred to couches, chairs, beds, and other furniture when they come into contact with a person or their clothes that have been exposed to asbestos. Over time, these fibers can accumulate on furniture, creating a secondary exposure risk.
- Laundry: Washing asbestos-contaminated clothes in conventional washing machines is a significant risk. These machines cannot effectively remove asbestos fibers and may instead spread them to other garments. Additionally, the person doing the laundry may inhale airborne fibers released during the washing process.
- Personal Contact: Simple physical interactions, such as hugs or pats on the back, with an asbestos worker can release fibers into the air, leading to secondary exposure for family members. This form of exposure is particularly concerning because it involves direct transfer of fibers through close personal contact.
Secondary exposure to asbestos is hazardous because the fibers, once airborne, can be inhaled or ingested, leading to serious health issues, including lung diseases and cancer. It is crucial for individuals who work with asbestos to follow strict decontamination procedures to minimize the risk of secondary exposure to their families and others.