Asbestos Exposure in the Home

As even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can cause injuries, the dangers of asbestos in the home and the risks of developing mesothelioma generally occur due to renovation or repair work in the home (first-hand exposure) or contact with individuals working with asbestos (second-hand exposure).

Asbestos fibers are so toxic that industrial and trade worker’s families are at-risk to develop mesothelioma through contact of particles that cling to the worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair. This type of “second-hand” exposure to asbestos is known as para-occupational exposure. Workers handling asbestos today must change clothes prior to leaving the workplace, but this was not always the case. Asbestos dust on boots and clothing carried the fibers home, exposing wives and children to asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos exposure in the home could also have occurred when renovation or repair work was performed. The majority of building products manufactured today do not contain asbestos, however those frequently used prior to 1970 do carry exposure risks. Products such as joint compounds, wallboards, gaskets, fireproofing, pipe covering, cements, floor tiles, ceiling tiles and boiler insulation often contained asbestos (Click here to see a more complete list of products that used to contain asbestos). If these products were mixed, grinded, cut, sawed, sprayed, removed or otherwise manipulated, they could have released asbestos fibers into your home. The inhalation of these airborne fibers can create the risk of developing mesothelioma, even 10-70 years later.

Did you know that a common insulation used in millions of U.S. homes may be contaminated with asbestos?
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