Jennifer’s story: The dangers of bystander asbestos exposure

The terrifying reality of Jennifer’s story with bystander exposure is that it could happen to anyone. 

At 72, Jennifer found herself flourishing in the golden years of retirement. Surrounded by her husband and adult children, Jennifer took pride in her health, fitness and the many home projects she tackled. 

Dedicated to a fitness group that met three times a week, in addition to walking 10km per day and practising yoga, it was safe to say Jennifer’s greatest passion was health and wellness. 

The activities that brought her such immense joy were stripped away when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. 

The diagnosis of a terminal asbestos-related condition was shocking to Jennifer, someone who had lived a seemingly safe life where she didn’t believe there would be any exposure to the ‘deadly dust’.  

Jennifer had sought medical advice and testing to investigate the cause of her shortness of breath in addition to the chest and rib pain she had been experiencing. It was following Jennifer’s diagnosis of mesothelioma that she then discovered that she was unknowingly exposed to asbestos at work. 

An unseen danger

During the 1980s, Jennifer was employed at a local tavern in Launceston, Tasmania.  

For about six months, Jennifer walked past and frequented the construction site of an adjoining drive-thru bottle shop owned by the local tavern. Unbeknownst to Jennifer, the construction site was contaminated with asbestos dust and fibre due to the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials. 

Throughout the construction works, Jennifer frequently found herself near workers who were cutting and shaping building materials - never suspecting the hidden dangers that they posed.

Jennifer’s story is an example of bystander exposure, where individuals are exposed to the deadly asbestos dust without directly handling it themselves. The unfortunate reality is that this type of exposure is common and can affect anyone.

Jennifer’s bystander exposure was confirmed when she contacted us to assist her in a compensation claim. Our investigations uncovered historical documents revealing that asbestos building materials, including asbestos cement sheets, had been used in the construction of the drive-thru bottle shop that Jennifer walked past and frequented.

Empowering others through shared experiences

Our team helped Jennifer pursue a claim for compensation lodged with the Asbestos Compensation Commissioner on the basis that her condition of mesothelioma was reasonably attributable to her exposure to asbestos in the course of her employment in Tasmania.

While Jennifer's compensation will not restore her health, it will provide her and her family with some financial security.

By sharing her journey, Jennifer hopes to educate others and encourage them to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from asbestos-related illnesses and to seek legal advice in the unfortunate event that an asbestos-related diagnosis is made.

Non-high-risk exposures

When we think of asbestos exposure, we often associate it with high-risk occupations in construction, demolition and motor repair. However, the reality is that asbestos exposure can arise from seemingly unexpected places, affecting individuals in seemingly low-risk jobs and everyday environments:

Office buildings and schools

Buildings constructed before the early 1980s, including schools, hospitals, public buildings, libraries and office spaces, may harbour asbestos in insulation, ceiling tiles, and flooring. Renovations or maintenance work can disturb these materials, releasing asbestos fibres into the air.

Homes and domestic settings

Approximately one in three homes in Australia built prior to the early 1980s contain asbestos. The building material can be found in roofing, insulation, eaves, bathrooms, and kitchens. DIY renovations or repairs can inadvertently expose homeowners to asbestos.

Take home 

Take-home asbestos exposure, also known as secondary or non-occupational exposure, occurs when workers inadvertently bring asbestos fibres home on their clothing, hair, or personal items. Family members, especially those responsible for laundering work clothes, can be exposed to these harmful fibres, especially when shaking out dusty clothes in an enclosed laundry. 

Bystander exposure

Bystander exposure happens when an individual is exposed to asbestos without handling or having direct contact with the materials. Bystanders might include office workers, visitors, or even nearby residents who are in proximity to construction sites and factories handling asbestos.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with an asbestos or other occupational disease, contact our occupational disease team for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your potential legal entitlements

We also recommend that you register your exposure via our national asbestos, silica, chemicals, fumes, and dusts register.