Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Risks for Some Families of Workers

Asbestos is the name given to six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Due to the unique properties found in these minerals, they were used for decades in thousands of commercial products and building materials.

While these minerals may have many beneficial attributes, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials can release fibers into the air when they are disturbed or as they age and become friable. These fibers cannot be seen with the naked eye and may be inhaled where they can get trapped in people’s lungs. If swallowed, these fibers can become embedded into the digestive tract.

The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that significant exposure to any type of asbestos will increase the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The agency also reports that asbestos-related disease has been diagnosed in not just workers that dealt with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, but also with family members.

The National Cancer Institute states that this risk is thought to result from exposure to asbestos fibers brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin and hair of workers. This exposure to family members is often referred to as secondhand, secondary or take-home asbestos exposure.

“Today, there are regulations meant to protect workers who handle asbestos and to prevent them from exposing others to these materials,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “However, if workers do not recognize they are dealing with asbestos or the proper precautions have not been taken, people could be at risk. Asbestos-related diseases may not show up for many years. This means that some families could still be at risk that had a member working with asbestos even years ago.”

To help protect workers and their families from exposure to asbestos, EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides testing services to identify asbestos-containing materials and environmental samples containing the fibers. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about asbestos and secondhand exposure that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/l6pVwqoAMUk. 

To learn more about EMSL’s asbestos or other hazardous material and indoor air quality testing services, please visit www.AsbestosTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail