Asbestos dust exposure

[Sam2707]

I recently entered a building which I now know to have contained large amounts of asbestos dust (Brown or Blue) at the time I was wearing overalls and a dust mask FFP3 type. Ever since I found out the building contained the dust I have been worried that I may have transferred it to my car, other clothes and houses I have visited. I was in the building for between 40 to 60 minutes. No objects or dust was disturbed and there were no visible clouds of dust. The building has been sealed for 2 years since the dust was discovered. I have had a cough/cold since and I am very worried. The overalls I wore were worn again later, before I found out about the asbestos dust. I have been losing sleep and having anxiety attacks since, am I overreacting?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. Exposure to asbestos dust can cause Asbestosis, which  is a chronic pneumoconiosis disease in which the parenchymal tissue of the lungs undergoes slow and repetitive fibrosis, or scarring.  But this occurs on prolonged exposure for years to the dust. Your symptoms of skin rash and cough could be due to an allergic reaction to the dust. So, don't worry and consult your doctor for therapy. In the meantime take OTC antihistamines for relief from your symptoms.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[Sam2707]

I also now have a rash on my chest and legs