How to talk to your parents about asbestos exposure

Many parents and grandparents grew up in an era when the dangers of asbestos simply were not known to them. Employers failed to warn workers, products didn’t have safety labels, and many houses were built with asbestos. Bringing up asbestos exposure to loved ones can feel uncomfortable. It can be even more difficult if you do have a family member who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. Understanding exposure history is valuable for awareness, even if that knowledge is confronting.

Why you should discuss household or bystander asbestos exposure

It can take decades to be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. That’s why it is worth having these conversations while your parents or grandparents are still able to remember clearly. The passage of time, memory loss or illness can sometimes cloud recollection, which makes it difficult to piece together information. Knowing whether they were exposed, and how, can also help you understand if you or other family members might have been exposed to asbestos too.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) were commonly used in houses built before the 1990s. Asbestos can be found in roofing and eaves, wall and ceiling panels, flooring materials, insulation, pipes, plumbing and electrical components, as well as many other building materials. Even if your family members weren’t exposed to asbestos at work, they may have been exposed at home without even knowing.

Home renovation led to asbestos exposure

When I first started in this field as a law clerk, I had no understanding of asbestos and its dangers. Not long after joining the team, I asked my parents whether they’d ever been exposed. That’s when I learnt that my dad had done home renovations involving ACMs with me nearby when I was very young. If I hadn’t had that conversation, I never would have known. My dad didn’t know the dangers of those materials until after I told him.

So, my advice to you as someone who has been in your position, start with stories. Ask your parents about the homes they lived in, the jobs they held, the kind of tasks they did day-to-day. Let the conversations flow and listen with a keen ear. I also recommend taking notes, as it can be difficult to recall an entire lifetime of experiences if you ever need the details later.

What to do if you have been exposed to asbestos

Legal rights if diagnosed with an Asbestos Related Disease

If a person has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, it’s very important to know strict time limits that may apply to a claim. Early advice can assist with understanding entitlements and accessing possible compensation options.