Secondary exposure to asbestos is a major concern in the United States, as many veterans and former factory workers had worked in environments with the fibrous material and may have unknowingly brought some of it home to expose their family members.

Secondary exposure to asbestos occurs when a loved one or friend of the first-hand victim handles their clothing and breathes in the asbestos fibers attached to the clothing.

This means that secondary exposure to asbestos typically occurs when the first-hand victim and second-hand victim hug, or when the second-hand victim interacts with the contaminated clothing like laundry.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was popularly used for a variety of manufacturing and construction purposes before the 1980s and is found in old houses and buildings to this day.

Asbestos was popularly used for its insulation and chemical resistant qualities and was a favorite by manufacturers because it was economic in prices. Asbestos reached its peak in popularity during World War II, when the fibrous material was used for insulation purposes.

This has caused a number of veterans to develop long-term asbestos health complications later in life, with former construction and industrial workers also facing the same risks.

Overview of First Hand and Secondary Exposure to Asbestos

However, these health problems can also be caused by secondary exposure to asbestos. According to one study, approximately 20 percent of mesothelioma cases are from nonoccupational exposure in industrialized countries.

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer, which manifests in the mucus lining of lungs after asbestos fibers become embedded and eventually fester. It is important to note that mesothelioma is a very slowly progressing disease, and can often take up to 50 years for victims to experience symptoms.

This often results in late diagnoses and limited treatment options, with patients often facing a shortened life expectancy. Due to the severity of the first-hand health problems of asbestos, it is important for companies to give proper disclosures to their employees and also for the public to understand that mesothelioma is still a risk.

This is especially true for women, with one study finding that 64 percent of female participants in the study had suffered secondary exposure to asbestos while only 12 percent of male participants had experienced this.

Other data collected from malignant pleural mesothelioma patients from 2000 to 2017 researchers finding that 36 percent of female patients have experienced secondary exposure to asbestos in a domestic setting. In this same study, it was also found that 67 percent of male patients had experienced initial exposure in industrial work environments.

The study had also noted that men and women experienced different symptoms, with 83 percent of patients developing a cough while only 33 percent of men had developed this side effect.

In addition, it was found that 73 percent of female patients experienced chest pain while 28 percent of men had developed this symptom. Overall, researchers had found that female patients in the study had a worse prognosis compared to male patients.

Retired manufacturing workers and their families are warned to be wary against signs of mesothelioma and see their doctor immediately if they have any concerns.