Fibers: Secondary Exposure to Asbestos

Spouses and family members can be exposed through Asbestos dust and fibers on workers' skin and work clothing. Such secondary exposure occurs when fibers released to the air are inhaled by persons not directly handling asbestos.

Asbestos-related diseases have occurred in family members whose only contact was dust from an exposed worker's clothing. In some circumstances, exposures in household members might approach occupational levels. Similar diseases were also found in persons who grew up within one-half mile of an asbestos factory.