Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related disease that is commonly found in men who work in blue-collar trades. But did you know that women can also be at risk for a deadly diagnosis, as well? There are many ways women can experience secondary asbestos exposure, which can lead to mesothelioma. Here are just a few:
Doing the Laundry
Many women have been exposed to asbestos when doing a loved one’s laundry. Spouses and others who work in blue-collar trades, such as electricians, construction workers, and mechanics, can carry asbestos fibers home with them on their clothing after long days at work. If their clothes are shaken out before being washed, asbestos fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled by those doing the laundry. In many cases it has been the wives of workers who are exposed this way.
Hugging a Loved One
As mentioned above, many men who worked in blue-collar trades are at risk for asbestos exposure at work. After the worker has returned home, women — including wives and daughters – might greet their spouse or father with a long hug. This embrace could result in exposure to the asbestos fibers that could eventually lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Car Rides
Riding in a car that a worker regularly uses can also lead to asbestos exposure. Those same asbestos fibers that come to rest on a workers’ clothing can follow the individual into their car as they drive home, day after day. Suddenly, car rides with a loved one can turn into a dangerous activity.
Mesothelioma does not discriminate between men and women. If you are a woman who is spending or has spent a lot of time around someone who has been exposed to asbestos, the potential for your own exposure is high. Do not hesitate to alert your doctor if you believe you have been exposed in the past