Asbestos was once widely used in this country, especially in manufacturing, steel mills and other types of industrial settings. Over the years, a lot of blue collar workers have contracted mesothelioma and other medical conditions associated with asbestos exposure on the job.
But what about their families? Many of the workers exposed to asbestos in the past were men, but they often carried the problem home to their wives and children.
Asbestos fibers are incredibly tiny, and they tend to cling to people’s clothes and shoes. That means they can easily be transported out of the workplace and in to an employee’s vehicle and home — where their spouse and children can end up inhaling them. That’s what makes secondary exposure to asbestos so common among the families of factory workers.
Today, people who work around dangerous substances are usually given a place to change out of their contaminated clothing and wash before they head home — but that definitely wasn’t the routine in the past. Since asbestos can lurk in someone’s lung for decades before that person eventually develops the symptoms of mesothelioma, there may be a lot of people who haven’t yet discovered the consequences of their prior exposure.
If you’ve developed mesothelioma as a result of long-ago asbestos exposure, it’s important to understand that your family members should also be evaluated for problems. You should also consider seeking legal assistance from an experienced attorney. There are funds set aside for the victims of asbestos exposure, and that money could go a long way toward providing for your family’s needs.