High exposure to chrysotile asbestos

[huckleberry80]

I live in an apartment building built in the 1920s. The tenant below mine recently moved out after living in the building for 30-40 years and the landlord has been renovating the building for the past several months. Two weeks ago, I noticed a large buildup of dust in my kitchen cabinets. I started washing all the dishes and items in this cabinets and had a gut reaction that this was not just normal dust as I have had a persistent cough for the past couple weeks and my throat has a burning sensation. I had the dust tested with a TEM wipe analysis a couple days and the results said that there was solely chrystotile type asbestos but at high concentration: 500,000 structures/cm2. How concerned should i be with this duration of exposure? I was in my kitchen washing things for 1-2 hours a day for the past week. Clearly, what is in the dust is an irritant to my respiratory pathways but I don't believe asbestos manifests so quickly. Do I also need to be concerned about mesothelioma/lung cancer down the road due to this high exposure over a short(?) period of time? The lead levels in this dust was also high (10x what is acceptable for residential floors) so I am getting a blood test ASAP as we are trying to conceive. Thanks for your help!!

[Laz08]

Hi huckleberry. Did you ever get a response on this? I have also had an extreme exposure. I brought down the walls of a new house, dust flying everywhere. We where covered in the stuff. Found out All that crap was riddled with asbestos (house is from the 1950s). It was a bomb on my mental health. I suffer from hypochondria, obsessive thoughts, depression and anxiety. Went to three. I repeate THREE doctors and told me even given the scale of the exposure I was fine. And yes my risk increase but it’s a small amount.  One even said “I’m 10000% sure you’ll be fine now and in the future”. I’m on the boat with you. My research has helped me understand asbestos more and it’s a dangerous product although not necessarily a death sentence. I’m not saying it’s not a risk. We inhaled it we are at a higher risk but not like someone who over loads their lungs with it on a consistent basis

[specialmom]

So, how are things since you had your exposure?  Do you have symptoms other than the stress and worry/ocd, depression, etc?  I know that is terrible!  Wondered if you had any symptoms overall.  

I know it was popular for a long time to wrap/cover asbestos when found.  And I guess the danger is in removing it as you did.  What was up with using  that crazy stuff?!  yeesh.  did an inspection of the place you removed it from when bought didn't expose it because it was IN a wall?  

[Laz08]

Hi specialmom. Actually nothing. Wasn’t even coughing or anything g. No further symptoms regarding anything for my lungs at all. I did a lot of research on my own and found out that even though all asbestos is carcinogenic, white asbestos is far less. The lungs do have the ability to clear it out but an over load of the stuff or constant injury to the lung from it (and or other dusts) can bring in those nasty diseases. This comes down to increase risk only. Not a death sentence. And just to clarify, I am not saying white asbestos is safe (cause there is a lot of people saying that now a days). What I am saying is that I’m at an increased risk (of course) but it’s not a death sentence that a lot of what we have seen in tv and even during the 1980s hysteria (rightfully so to a certain extent). One thing is for sure NO SMOKING.

[specialmom]

Hey there.  This is really interesting.  I know that we were going to by a place that had asbestos found during inspection and the seller said they wouldn't acknowledge it.  ??  Not really sure how someone can just take that stance but oh well.  We moved on.  I'm glad you didn't have any repercussions.  And probably with all things, no smoking is a good idea.  :>)