What Is Secondary Asbestos Exposure?
Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when someone who works with asbestos carries the toxic dust home on their uniform or equipment, potentially exposing their family indirectly. After 20-50 years, serious cancers like mesothelioma can develop.
Around 30% of mesothelioma cases are caused by secondary asbestos exposure, according to the Journal of Lung Health and Diseases. Those commonly affected include women and children who never worked near asbestos but came into contact with a loved one’s contaminated clothing or belongings.
“In one study, the relative risk for mesothelioma among women with a husband or father working in an asbestos-related industry increased 10-fold.”
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Victims and their loved ones aren't at fault for asbestos exposure. Many companies knew asbestos was dangerous but failed to warn about the risks. As a result, asbestos exposure attorneys can help those affected pursue compensation.
Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.7 Billion for thousands of asbestos exposure victims and their families.
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Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Illnesses
When asbestos fibers become trapped in the body, they can irritate healthy tissue and cause inflammation, scarring, or cellular damage over time. It may take 20-50 years after exposure for the symptoms of an asbestos-related illness to appear.
Secondhand asbestos exposure may seem less concerning than direct contact, but it can still have devastating consequences.
Multiple illnesses may be caused by secondhand asbestos exposure:
- Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. This cancer can form in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes.
- Lung cancer may be caused solely by asbestos exposure or in combination with other factors like smoking cigarettes.
- Asbestosis is a noncancerous lung condition caused by scarring from asbestos fibers that can severely impair lung function.
“Notably, lung tissue asbestos burden among para-occupationally exposed women with mesothelioma was in a similar range to the fiber burden among mesothelioma cases among men with moderate occupational exposure, such as construction.”
– Annals of Translational Medicine
If you’ve been directly or indirectly exposed to asbestos and begin experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms or unexplained health changes, it’s important to inform your doctor about your exposure history.
Because it takes so long for illnesses to develop, many patients don’t remember how they were exposed to asbestos — but we can help you figure that out.
How Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Occurs
Small, everyday activities at home can put families at risk of secondhand exposure to asbestos — and it only takes a single instance for these fibers to be breathed in or swallowed.
Secondhand asbestos exposure may occur while:
- Doing laundry or washing contaminated clothing
- Sweeping, dusting, or cleaning contaminated areas
- Hugging or having close physical contact with someone who works around asbestos
- Borrowing or riding in a vehicle that contains asbestos fibers
In one case, a 20-year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor was first exposed to asbestos while playing in the laundry room where her dad’s work uniforms were washed. Decades later, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Find out more about how family members, friends, or roommates may be exposed to asbestos secondhand.
Washing Contaminated Work Clothes
Shaking out, sorting, and laundering someone’s dirty work clothes may disturb any asbestos dust or fibers that are clinging to the fabric and cause them to become airborne.
Washing the clothes of someone who worked with or around asbestos is the most common source of secondhand exposure, according to Annals of Translational Medicine.
Asbestos fibers may linger in the laundry room, on countertops, or even in the dryer lint, quietly spreading through the home long after the clothes have been put away.
Cleaning the House
Asbestos fibers can be brought home on a worker’s clothing or shoes after they return from a job site. These microscopic fibers may settle in corners, on carpets, or across other surfaces and can remain in the home for years.
When someone sweeps or cleans these areas, the fibers can become airborne again, increasing the risk of inhalation. Even walking through a contaminated room or handling dust-covered items can disturb fibers and lead to long-term health risks.
Hugging or Physical Contact
When someone comes home from work, they may embrace their loved ones — often before changing out of their uniform or work clothes. The hug or close contact can transfer fibers to family members, causing secondary asbestos exposure.
Over time, repeated exposure through physical contact can increase the risk of asbestos-related illnesses, even for those who never worked around asbestos themselves.
“When I was an infant, my dad worked on a hydroelectric dam. They had issues with asbestos, and he'd be bringing it home on his clothes. Being the age I was, one of the first things he would do was give me a hug when he came in.”
– Tennessee Mesothelioma Victim
Sharing Vehicles or Tools
Driving home from work after handling asbestos-containing materials can cause microscopic fibers to settle on car seats, floors, or dashboards. Anyone who later drives or rides in the vehicle may be exposed to asbestos secondhand.
Similarly, asbestos dust can coat tools and equipment used at a job site. Helping carry these tools inside or borrowing them may unknowingly result in exposure. Workers who didn’t handle asbestos-containing materials directly may still be exposed through coworkers who did.
Who Is at Risk of Secondary Exposure to Asbestos?
Simply visiting or living in a home where asbestos fibers have been introduced from someone else’s job can result in secondary asbestos exposure, which may increase the likelihood of developing serious cancers later in life.
Those at risk of secondary exposure to asbestos include:
- Spouses or partners
- Children
- Roommates
- Other family members staying in the home
This type of exposure often affects women and children, because men were more likely to work in industries where asbestos was used and experience direct exposure before unknowingly bringing fibers home on their clothing, tools, or personal items.
Call (800) 647-3434 now if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. You may be eligible for compensation that we can fight for on your behalf.
Jobs Linked to Secondary Asbestos Exposure
For much of the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in construction materials, shipbuilding components, automotive parts, and countless other products. Workers in these industries were frequently exposed to asbestos on the job, often without protective equipment.
Common jobs at risk for asbestos exposure include:
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Factory workers
- Firefighters
- Insulators
- Laborers
- Mechanics
- Military service members
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Shipyard workers
Even without direct contact with asbestos, living with or spending time around workers in these occupations could result in secondary or paraoccupational exposure.
The risks often went unrecognized for years, and many people didn’t realize they had been exposed until they got sick.
Statistics on Secondhand Asbestos Exposure
As awareness of workplace exposure has improved, studies have increasingly documented how asbestos carried home on clothing or other personal effects has contributed to serious illnesses.
Find out about secondhand asbestos exposure statistics:
- Of all asbestos legal claims filed in 2024, over 33% mentioned secondary asbestos exposure, according to KCIC.
- Women were more likely to be exposed secondhand, with over 12% alleging only secondary asbestos exposure and over 55% reporting a combination of primary and secondary exposure.
- By comparison, fewer than 1% of men reported only secondary exposure, while just over 30% cited a combination of direct and indirect exposure.
- Nonoccupational or secondary asbestos exposure may account for 30% of mesothelioma cases in the U.S., a number that will likely increase over time, according to the Journal of Lung Health and Diseases.
- Over 22% of women who passed away from mesothelioma listed their occupation as “homemaker,” suggesting they likely suffered secondary asbestos exposure, per a CDC study.
- Women whose husbands or fathers worked in an asbestos-related industry are about 10 times more likely to develop mesothelioma than those without household asbestos exposure, according to the same study.
- As workplace asbestos exposure has declined, a growing share of mesothelioma cases has been linked to asbestos fibers brought home from job sites, per the Annals of Work Exposures and Health.
“Marriage to an asbestos-exposed worker was shown to be the single greatest risk factor in the development of mesothelioma apart from personal exposure at work.”
– Annals of Work Exposure and Health
These findings highlight how deeply asbestos has affected entire households, not just workers. For many people, the connection between their illness and a loved one’s job only becomes clear decades later.
How a Secondary Asbestos Exposure Law Firm Can Help
In 2016, the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that companies can be held legally responsible when workers bring home asbestos that makes household members sick.
Many companies that made or sold asbestos-containing products knew their products were dangerous, but they hid the risks in order to protect their profits. As a result, victims may be able to take legal action with the help of a secondary asbestos exposure law firm.
Secondary asbestos exposure victims may be able to file:
More than 35% of asbestos claims filed in 2024 involved some level of secondary asbestos exposure, according to industry data.
At Sokolove Law, we’ve helped over 9,200 families seek justice from an asbestos legal claim. Our team has the experience and resources needed to fight for you.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit Settlements & Verdicts
Compensation from a secondary asbestos exposure lawsuit can help families with medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, and other expenses associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Secondary asbestos exposure lawsuit settlements and verdicts include:
- $43 Million for a Los Angeles woman married to a carpenter
- $18 Million to a woman who was exposed to asbestos while washing her husband’s mechanic uniform
- $3.5 Million for the family of a woman in Alabama whose husband worked with asbestos-containing insulation
- $8 Million to the stepson of an oil field worker who passed away at age 38
- Over $11 Million for a New York woman with peritoneal mesothelioma from take-home exposure
- $32 Million to a secondhand asbestos exposure victim in South Carolina
The average mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 Million to $1.4 Million, while trial verdicts award between $5 Million and $11 Million on average.
While there’s never a guarantee of compensation in any case, our secondary asbestos exposure lawyers can fight for everything you’re entitled to.
Since 1979, Sokolove Law has successfully helped thousands of asbestos exposure victims, securing over $5.7 Billion nationwide.
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John & Dee Sokolove Law ClientsPreventing Secondhand Asbestos Exposure
Although safety regulations have reduced asbestos use in the workplace, the mineral is still present in many older buildings and products across the country.
Because of this, secondhand asbestos exposure is still a concern — especially for families of workers who handle renovations, repairs, or maintenance in structures or products built before the 1980s.
Steps to help reduce the risk of secondhand asbestos exposure include:
- Avoiding shaking or handling dusty work clothes before laundering
- Cleaning vehicles regularly if they’re used to commute from job sites with potential asbestos exposure
- Changing clothes and showering before going home, especially after working around insulation, pipes, or older building materials
- Following safety protocols when handling asbestos-containing materials
- Having older homes inspected by licensed professionals before starting remodeling or repair projects
- Keeping work tools outside of the living space
- Removing shoes before entering the home to prevent tracking asbestos fibers inside
- Storing work clothing separately and washing contaminated clothes apart from other household laundry
- Using proper protective equipment when working in older buildings or homes
“[Employers] are positioned to prevent dangerous at-home laundering altogether by requiring that employees’ clothes stay on-site and be cleaned under conditions controlled for safety by the employer.”
– Delaware Supreme Court
Federal safety regulations are designed to reduce asbestos exposure on job sites. When these protocols are followed, like wearing protective clothing, using proper ventilation, and changing before leaving work, they can help protect both workers and their families from secondary exposure.
Find a Secondary Asbestos Exposure Attorney Near You
If you or a loved one has been affected by secondhand asbestos exposure, you are not alone — and the blame falls solely on companies that knew about the dangers of asbestos but failed to protect workers and their families.
At Sokolove Law, we can help families in all 50 states pursue the compensation they deserve after an asbestos-related disease diagnosis.
Our secondary asbestos exposure attorneys can:
- Determine your eligibility to take legal action and pursue compensation
- Prove your asbestos exposure by conducting a thorough investigation into your work and family history
- Gather evidence to build a strong case on your behalf
- Negotiate a settlement with the defendant(s)
- Represent you during a trial if a settlement is unable to be reached
Let us take care of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health and spending time with loved ones.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation case review. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Asbestos & Secondary Exposure FAQs
What is secondary asbestos exposure to family?
Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are unknowingly brought home on a worker’s clothing, shoes, hair, or tools. The worker’s family members may breathe in or swallow these fibers, putting them at risk of serious illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, contact Sokolove Law now. We may be able to help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
How soon after asbestos exposure do you get sick?
Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases often take 20-50 years to appear after the initial exposure. Because of this long latency period, many people may not realize they were exposed until decades later.
Can you catch asbestos through another person?
Asbestos isn’t a contagious disease, so you can’t “catch” it like a virus. However, you can be exposed to asbestos fibers through another person, which is called secondary or secondhand asbestos exposure.
This often happens when someone who works with or around asbestos carries microscopic fibers on their clothing, shoes, hair, or tools. Those fibers can be released into the home, inhaled, or ingested by family members, roommates, or others in close contact, putting them at risk for serious asbestos-related illnesses.
Is mesothelioma contagious?
No. Mesothelioma is not contagious, and this cancer can’t be spread from person to person through contact, air, or shared spaces.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. In some families, the disease may seem contagious or hereditary because multiple relatives may be diagnosed with mesothelioma, but this is often due to a shared history of asbestos exposure.
For example, a parent may have worked around asbestos and unintentionally brought fibers home on their clothing. Years later, both the parents and their child could be diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Who is at risk of asbestos take-home exposure?
Family members, spouses, partners, children, and roommates of someone who works in the trades or blue-collar jobs are most at risk of take-home asbestos exposure.
Women with asbestos-related diseases are more likely to cite secondary exposure. Historically, men often worked in jobs with direct asbestos exposure and unknowingly brought fibers home.
Can asbestos be washed out of clothes?
Asbestos fibers are extremely durable and can survive normal laundering. Washing contaminated clothing may release fibers into the air or onto other laundry items, which is why contaminated work clothes should be handled separately and carefully.
In fact, washing contaminated clothing is one of the main causes of secondhand asbestos exposure, according to Annals of Translational Medicine.
Can I claim for secondary exposure to asbestos?
Yes. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease as a result of secondary exposure, you may have legal options.
Patients and their loved ones may be able to sue the companies that made or sold asbestos-containing products without warning of the risks and seek compensation for the harm they suffered.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if you may be eligible for compensation from a secondary asbestos exposure claim.
How much does a secondary asbestos exposure lawyer cost?
At Sokolove Law, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our secondary asbestos exposure lawyers.
We operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
Have there been any successful claims of secondary exposure to asbestos?
Yes. Many legal claims involving secondary exposure to asbestos have resulted in significant settlements and verdicts for those affected.
In the landmark case of Kesner v. Superior Court in California, the court held that companies could be held responsible when asbestos fibers brought home on a worker’s clothing caused illness in family members.
This decision recognized the validity of secondary exposure claims and paved the way for other successful lawsuits seeking compensation for take-home asbestos victims.
