Exposure to asbestos can increase the risks for some illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. The longer a person has been exposed to asbestos and the greater the intensity of the exposure, the greater the chance of developing an asbestos-related disease. That said, a one-time short-term exposure is unlikely to cause disease. There is nothing you can do now to reverse the past, but you can take steps to limit your exposure in the future. For example, instead of taking breaks near the construction site, you can take your breaks in a different location with better air quality. Even if the dust you inhaled near the construction site did not contain asbestos, inhaling dust particles of any type is not good for your lungs.