Other Types of Asbestos Exposure
Although not as common, exposure to asbestos can also occur outside the workplace. Family members and those living with asbestos workers have a greater risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos dust brought home on workers' clothing or hair can adversely impact the health of others. As the risks become known, asbestos workers were typically required to shower and change into new clothes before departing the workplace.
People who perform their own construction work face a greater risk of exposure to asbestos. Many building materials used in homes and businesses prior to the ban of asbestos contain asbestos in them. This presents a health risk that should be considered before doing construction work on an older home or structure.
There are places in the world where mesothelioma rates are disproportionately high. People living in areas of naturally occurring asbestos have incidences of mesothelioma at a much higher rate. In these areas, asbestos can be found in the air outdoors and in some water from natural sources and drinking water. Also, some families have a genetic predisposition to get mesothelioma.
In the United States, portions of El Dorado County, California, which is largely in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, contain naturally occurring asbestos formations near the surface. Also, large portions of Fairfax County, Virginia have been found to have rock containing asbestos. County law requires that any soil excavation work performed need to have six inches of clean, stable material layed over the ground of the affected area.
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