Mesothelioma and Second Hand Asbestos

Several months ago I wrote a brief post concerning Mesothelioma.  At the time, I didn’t know anyone who was suffering from this terrible and rare form of cancer.  That changed a few weeks ago when I was introduced to an older woman who had contracted Mesothelioma from her husband.  Just like second hand smoke can cause lung cancer, so too can second had asbestos cause Mesothelioma. Not very knowledgeable about Mesothelioma, I decided to look into second hand asbestos exposure.

As early as the late 1960’s, many studies were being conducted to find out why housewives were showing signs of lung irritation when they had no direct contact with asbestos.  Although most had not yet been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, the signs and symptoms of the cancer were beginning to appear in women at an alarming rate.  Granted, many of the homes back then were covered with asbestos, however the asbestos was contained and wasn’t a cause of the symptoms being presented.

What doctors and researchers discovered was these housewives were living with men who worked with asbestos on a daily basis.  When husbands and boyfriends would return home, their hair, bodies and clothes were covered with asbestos fibers, which become airborne in the house.  Wives would hug their husbands when they returned from work, would do their laundry and wash and cut their hair.  In addition, since most wives lived near the asbestos mines and processing facilities, asbestos fibers carried by the wind into town was another source of unexpected exposure.  As a result, as the years passed,  wives and even children were unknowingly exposed to enough asbestos that they too started falling victim to Mesothelioma.

Although you may not know anyone suffering from Mesothelioma, you may know someone who may have been exposed to second hand asbestos.  If they are exhibiting any of the symptoms found in my post listed below, please ask them to seek medical attention.

http://www.nakedgator.com/medical-issues/mesothelioma/