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Differences between Secondary Exposure and Environmental Asbestos Exposure

Posted on: January 29, 2024 *Updated on: May 27, 2024

The following outlines the differences between secondary exposure and environmental asbestos exposure. Below is break down between these two types of exposure:

  1. Environmental Asbestos Exposure:
    • Environmental asbestos exposure refers to direct exposure to asbestos fibers that exist naturally in the environment. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and can be found in certain geological formations.
    • People may be exposed to asbestos in the environment when they come into contact with asbestos-containing rock, soil, or dust, especially in areas where asbestos deposits are present.
    • This type of exposure typically occurs outdoors and is not the result of any human activities like construction, demolition, or renovation.
  2. Secondary Asbestos Exposure:
    • Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when someone who has been directly exposed to asbestos in one location inadvertently carries asbestos fibers or dust to another location, where people who were not originally exposed may then be at risk of exposure.
    • The most common scenario for secondary asbestos exposure is when workers in occupations with asbestos exposure risks, such as construction workers, shipyard workers, or asbestos miners, unknowingly bring asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, or personal belongings.
    • Family members, particularly those living with asbestos-exposed individuals, are at risk of secondary exposure when they come into contact with the contaminated clothing, equipment, or living spaces of the primary asbestos-exposed person.
    • Secondary exposure can also occur in settings like schools, where asbestos fibers might be carried home by teachers or other staff who were exposed at their workplaces.

In summary, environmental asbestos exposure is the direct contact with naturally occurring asbestos in the environment, whereas secondary asbestos exposure involves the inadvertent transfer of asbestos fibers from one location (usually a workplace) to another, potentially exposing individuals who were not originally in direct contact with asbestos. Both types of exposure can pose serious health risks, as asbestos fibers are known to cause various respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, when inhaled or ingested.