Mesothelioma - High Risk for DIY Home Renovation?

I've always been dubious about claims that mere DIY home renovation might lead to mesothelioma, a fatal disease connected to exposure with asbestos. I had long though that most cases of mesothelioma stemmed from industry workers, such as Johns Manville plant employees or those who worked with asbestos on a regular basis in home renovation or construction.

Not that I would ever want to not protect myself from asbestos risk. But I do see the story of Adam Sager, Queensland, AU, who died in 2007 from mesothelioma. Says the Courier Mail:

For about a week in 1983 Mr and Mrs Sager sanded and painted inside their new Townsville kit house, while Adam, then about 18 months old, wandered around playing in the grey dust. "He had a little broom and he was sweeping the bedrooms," Mrs Sager said.

Why was this so bad? Asbestos...

The Sagers, then in their early 20s, had no idea cement panels in the house contained asbestos, although it was commonly used in building between the 1940s and 1980s.

For one week? Are children more susceptible to mesothelioma exposure? Why didn't the parents contract mesothelioma? I have no idea if the story holds any truth or not, but why take the chance?