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Asbestos Exposure

Posted , 9 users are following.

danny33543
danny33543

Hi All,

About a year a go I drilled into what I now know to be asbestos containing material on 3 or 4 separate occasions, to put up shelving etc. I didn't wear any protective equipment and even remember getting a faceful of dust. I'm now very concerned. Should I be worried? Is there any action I should take? Thanks. Danny 

1 like, 17 replies

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  • JamesScott
    JamesScott danny33543

    Posted

    Asbestos exposure occurs when someone inhales or swallows asbestos fibers. Just about everyone breathes in asbestos from the outside air, but these trace amounts rarely cause health problems. While no level of asbestos exposure is considered safe, most asbestos-related illnesses arise after heavy, repeated exposures.Harmful exposures happen in a wide range of occupational settings. Construction work and home renovations can be especially hazardous because many common building materials contain asbestos. When asbestos products start to deteriorate, or someone cuts, sands, drills or otherwise disturbs them, microscopic fibers enter the air.

    For instance, the sandblasting practices of Alaska-based shipbuilding and repair facility Seward Ship's Drydock have come under fire by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). The ADEC issued a notice of violation to Seward Ship's Drydock for uncontrolled "fugitive particulate emissions" at its sandblasting operations. If workers were sandblasting asbestos-containing materials such as paint, insulation or joint compounds off of a vessel, the asbestos fibers released were no longer confined to the sandblasted area and possibly inhaled by individuals elsewhere in the shipyard.

    Fibers can remain airborne for hours, placing anyone nearby in danger. Once inhaled, they become trapped in the respiratory tract and lungs, where they may stay for life.

  • joe55145
    joe55145 danny33543

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I was helping a friend out tearing down dry wall in his house last year.  Not too long after we were finished working with it all he tells me there was asbestos in the dry wall. For the most part we were wearing facial masks and the tearing down of the dry wall was only maybe two days work maximum.

    I have been having problems with my chest though even as much as a month afterwords. I am just wondering if I should get seen to or not? I know most things say symptoms arent found usually til ten years or so later. Any help would be great.

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