Last October, character actor Ed Lauter lost a battle with mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced cancer. Famous for his roles in Law and Order, The Longest Yard and The Artist, his death due to asbestos exposure serves as a testament to the risks posed by the fibrous carcinogen.
In April 2014, Lauter’s widow provided insight to the cause of his cancer through her lawsuit against NBC, CBS and Ford. She alleges her husband was exposed to the substance while on set for the various companies and from his Ford vehicle, which used to make brake pads with asbestos.
Most associate asbestos-related diseases with the workers directly exposed, but that isn’t the only manner of transmission. In the past, wives would wash the fiber-covered work clothes of their husbands and unknowingly expose themselves as well. In some cases, children would wear their fathers’ coats when they returned from work.
These examples prove asbestos is a risk to all who come in contact, not just those who spent their entire shift directly manipulating the fiber. There’s no rhyme or reason to asbestos exposure, no magic amount of exposure or intake to let you know if you’re at risk. Because of the uncertainty, the only safe exposure is none at all.
Reference
TMZ Staff. (2014). Ed Lauter’s widow: CBS, NBC and Ford killed my husband with asbestos. [Link]
