Sadly, the family members of workers who handle asbestos are often unknowingly exposed to the hazardous chemical as a result of poor safety measures. Many workers inadvertently bring asbestos particles into their home on their work clothes, tools, bodies, hair, and other items that were exposed. In some cases, the workplace and home are not separated (like on farms) putting everyone in the household at risk of ingesting or inhaling the cancer-causing substance. While the use of asbestos has dramatically declined in the U.S., there is still a great chance that workers—particularly in the construction industry—will come into contact with the deadly fibers, which cause serious illnesses such as mesothelioma.
The following is a “How To” to help prevent asbestos contamination in your home:
- Ensure you follow the correct safety protocol to reduce exposure at work and in the home
- Change all work clothing that came into contact with the toxic fibers before going home
- Leave work clothes at work and make sure to keep them separate from non-work clothes
- All asbestos workers should take a shower before leaving work
- No tools, packaging, or other items that could have come into contact with asbestos should be taken home
- Wash all work clothes separately from non-work clothes
- Don’t allow family members into the work area
