|

|

|

|

|

|

|

Women and Secondary Exposure

Yvonne Power, now 49, always harbored an aversion to housework, and this may have saved her life. In an interview for The Guardian, she recalls turning headstands in the garden while her older sister, Evelyn, helped scrub their father's overalls. It was the early 1960s and their father, John, worked as a foreman in Cowley, Oxford cutting asbestos boards for ceiling tiles. He eventually died of the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma, as did many men working in environments that caused them to be exposed to the hazardous material. However, mesothelioma also took the lives of his wife Barbra and his daughter Evelyn. Because Barbra and Evelyn never worked or even visited John's asbestos-latent workplace, experts believe the mother and daughter contracted the disease by washing John's overalls, which were covered in asbestos particles.

Each year 2,000 to 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma. All of those affected by mesothelioma develop malignant cells in the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, developing anywhere between 15 and 60 years after inhalation of the fibrous dust. The disease may result after very brief exposure, and it is almost always fatal.

There are many organizations that have dedicated a vast amount of their resources to helping those affected by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral used as a fireproofing and insulating material. And while most of the information provided focuses on the medical and legal options available to those affected, a large majority of the material is directed at those who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, leaving out a very important demographic of women and children that would include Evelyn and Barbra.

Common treatments for all patients suffering from mesothelioma include radiation, chemotherapy, immunology, and surgery-although none of these treatments have presented life-saving results. And while the medical options for those suffering from secondary exposure are the same as those for individuals exposed on the jobsite, legal options differ greatly. Collecting damages can be difficult for anyone, especially since some of the careless companies that permitted the hazardous work environments no longer exist. Unfortunately, being a woman that was exposed to asbestos in the home makes it even harder.

Due to the rarity of contracting what is considered to be an "industrial disease" in the home, proof of exposure is both necessary and elusive. A witness is required, preferably the husband who brought the dust home. Sadly, many of the women whose husbands worked in asbestos-exposing environments no longer have living husbands to serve as their witnesses, and thus no claims unless they can secure another witness.

Sources:

1. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_malignant_ mesothelioma_29.asp?sitearea=
2. http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=740

If you or a loved one
have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or another form of

asbestos related ailment, please
please enter your information below for a free packet.

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone Number:

Email:

Diagnosis:

Select... Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestosis Unknown

Comments:

Show Your Support

Free Wristbands
Get an Asbestos Awareness Wristband. Read More

VA Claim Help

Support Book

Cancer Support Book
Get a Free Copy of Lean on Me - Cancer Through a Carer's Eyes. Read More

In Your Area

Asbestos Exposure
Learn about asbestos exposure and legal options in your area. Read More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify Here.