Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive pleural or peritoneal tumour 
almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can 
cause malignant mesothelioma 30-40 years after exposure. A description of 
sources of exposure is important for prevention and possible financial 
compensation. Three women with cases of histologically confirmed malignant 
mesothelioma diagnosed from non-occupational asbestos exposure are described. 
Patients were contacted for an interview to assess their exposure history to 
asbestos. All three cases had mixed exposure histories related to secondary, 
environmental contamination, and domestic exposure. This case series highlight 
how ubiquitous asbestos is in the environment and how diverse the exposures may 
be. It is anticipated that a significant number of cases of non-occupational 
mesothelioma will be seen in many countries for several decades given the extent 
of asbestos containing materials.