Asbestos Exposure during Bathroom Renovations

uAAu on 24/10/2022 - 23:40
Last edited 25/10/2022 - 10:32 by 1 other user

Hi, I’m in my early 30s and a non-smoker.

Long story short I have been exposed to asbestos while removing tiles in my mates’ bathroom. The pieces were broken, and I was wearing a mask the whole time and had gloves on. I was only in there for like a minute or two. After we removed them outside, I chucked my mask and gloves in the bin and washed my face.

My question is should I be worried? I know it takes 20-40 years to show symptoms but has anyone or anyone that they know of experienced the same thing? Also do Asbestos pieces show on CT scans?

Thanks in advance.

Health & Beauty Asbestos Removal

Comments

  • Hybroid on 24/10/2022 - 23:48
    +22

    You're overthinking and stressing. We are all exposed to low levels of asbestos in the air we breathe every day.

    Short-term asbestos exposure is unlikely to cause any significant issues. Your 1-2 mins isn't even classed as short-term exposure.

    Even long-term exposure to large amounts isn't guaranteed to give you mesothelioma. It just increases the risk. Just like not every smoker gets lung cancer.

    I'm not meant to say this, I'm not a medical professional, but, unless you walked straight into a cloud of loose fibres floating around, you'll most likely be fine.

    Get some rest and sleep well.

    • Lexus101 on 25/10/2022 - 00:06
      +2

      You seem to have done well with the mask and gloves. Also you were only in there for a minute or two.

      So the likelihood of asbestos related health problems are minimal from your description.

      I read an article where it said not all people exposed to asbestos actually develop health issues. It's boils down to genetics, type and duration of exposure.

      I am curious and hopeful that you disposed of the asbestos in a safe and approved manner.

    • Caped Baldy on 25/10/2022 - 11:19

      I sat next to an occupational hygienist for a few years at work. Told me that it's either a big single exposure or prolonged low level exposure.

    • ronaldjleejlee on 16/11/2022 - 02:40

      Asbestos might cause great harm to you and your family so you have to be really careful with that one. I used to call a carpeting contractor to make a slight renovation in my bedroom, I was really surprised to find there some asbestos particles, gladly the carpeting guys where asbestos specialists too. They have removed everything carefully. Asbestos can be really dangerous and it's particles are small enought to not be taken in the sight so easily. https://www.asbestology.com.au/carpentry/

  • BargainDog on 25/10/2022 - 00:03
    +1

    Heya, I also know nothing about this - but I've had my fair share of 'renovation' scares from inhaling massive amounts of concrete dust, numerous noxious chemicals and several injuries.

    So - I've been in your situation at midnight wondering if I'll be diagnosed with silicosis, or some other random disease. The reality is that all this exposure is relatively minor and very unlikely to cause issues.

    Not sure if you've read this, it appears to be from a reliable source. The thing is, no-one can tell you 100% that anything in life will be OK. But you can learn from it and prevent further exposure to nasties when renovating in the future…

    https://www.asbestos.com/exposure/short-term/

    Go to sleep, you did far better than others would of who accidentally broke into some asbestos while renovating. Rationalise it out - if I were in your position, I'd be comfortable knowing I had masks, gloves etc.

  • Pelicannn on 25/10/2022 - 00:08
    +2

    Don’t stress mate, it’s a very minor exposure.

    On a side note, all I could think of when reading this was

    IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MESOTHELIOMA, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO FINANCIAL COMPENSATION!!!

    • pegaxs on 25/10/2022 - 07:48
      +2

      Soooo, OP should post it as a deal?

  • USER DC on 25/10/2022 - 04:03
    +1

    My question is should I be worried?

    Your worrying is not going to change the outcome. You know the answer already

    I know it takes 20-40 years to show symptoms

    So you wont find out about this issue in a long long time mate.

    Australia has very bad asbestos laws, just look @ James hardy. Its totally ridicoulous. You probably would not remember who put those tiles to begin with so you cannot even sew them for this, if you dont remember who put these asbestos containing stuff.

    Also do Asbestos pieces show on ct scans?
    Not if your have not developed symptoms. By the time you may develop symptoms it may be too late.

    Asbestos and rabies both are terrible conditions to be infected with.

  • lost in transit on 25/10/2022 - 07:56
    +4

    You’ll probably have to wait 30 years or so.
    What can you do about it now ????, Not a lot as a guess.
    I’ve been exposed in my late 20’s and now a couple of years off 60 ….

    YOU’LL BE OK MATE…

  • shaybisc on 25/10/2022 - 08:16
    +1

    Highly unlikely from one exposure for a non-smoker with gloves and mask on. Why are you certain it was asbestos?

    • uAAu on 25/10/2022 - 10:01

      The pieces we took out had hair particles in them. I’m 100% certain it is asbestos.

  • AndyC1 on 25/10/2022 - 08:23
    +1

    As you had a mask then the chances are very very very low. You probably have the same chance of being killed in a car crash as getting mesothelioma.

    How do you know the tiles were asbestos tiles? Most tiles do not have asbestos in them in old houses. It's the cement render used in the kitchen and bathrooms that usually has asbestots in them in some old houses.

    As far as I am aware there are no detection methods to detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, only the mesothelioma disease once it appears.

    • uAAu on 25/10/2022 - 09:59

      Some of the walls behind the tiles were asbestos.

      • AndyC1 on 25/10/2022 - 10:06
        +1

        Did you do any asbestos testing or are you going of that you seen hair like stuff in the wall?

  • fullmetal on 25/10/2022 - 08:35
    +9

    Unfortunately, you are going to die one day.

  • ForkSnorter on 25/10/2022 - 08:43
    +1

    Extremely unlikely to affect your health. The short exposure time, the fact that you were wearing a mask, the fact that you were probably trying not to breathe while removing them, the fact that it was only 2 pieces and probably bonded asbestos, all these factors reduced the risk.

    If it was loose asbestos, like the dangerous kind they used as insulation behind walls/ceilings in Canberra, then it might have been a different story.

    Next time wear an oxygen mask and you will worry less.

  • iamherenow on 25/10/2022 - 09:21
    +1

    My question is should I be worried?

    100% no.

  • uAAu on 25/10/2022 - 09:58
    +1

    Hey guys,

    Thanks for your replies, really appreciate it.
    It’s just one of those things I could not stop thinking about for the last couple of days but I think I should be fine judging from what I’ve read/heard.

    Cheers

    • Switchblade88 on 25/10/2022 - 10:39
      +1

      Just remember, James Hardie created a BIG deal about PPE & the risks of exposure, because they were the ones that got sued and lost. Lawyers smelled blood in the water and any businesses/builders etc with the slightest risk would want to avoid any potential lawsuit.

      Mesothelioma was apparent in tradies who were using the stuff daily without any masks/gloves etc - it was the 70's and 80's after all. Chronic exposure leads to chronic health problems, and you certainly don't have that risk thankfully.

  • Ghost47 on 25/10/2022 - 10:24
    +3

    Just enjoy the time that you have left.

  • PensionerXXL on 25/10/2022 - 11:00

    hey man, im not a doctor or confined spaces expert but here are some things that may put your mind at ease
    its only really a worry if its very stirred up (as in a lot in the air) in a poorly ventilated situation, because your air in/out will draw it to you
    i think its very unlikely you got any on your mask, unless you broke the tiles close to your face
    people get exposed to it by accident but its one of these things that if you work around it, with bad habits, thats how it gets you

    i had a workmate a few years ago that got asbestosis, i think it showed up with him like 10 years later and when he first picked up on it was because he was coughing blood
    if you are a cerebral person who is fixated on these thoughts of being sick etc, id go to see a dr and get some professional advice

    i really hate that shit, and its everywhere, just after i moved out of nsw in my old neck of the woods there was a factory/building fire with an asbestos roof
    shit when everywhere, like 1km - 1.5km in each direction, located close to a tafe, day care, primary school, popular walking/exercise track/footy fields - very populated. and the shit was left blowing around for at least a week before they could get enough crews to clean it up

    the govt love throwing councils big money for bullshit jobs, this should be one of those tasks they need to take care of

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 25/10/2022 - 14:29

    I knocked down and old house, by hand with no masks etc @30 years ago, and I was told later it was asbestos.
    I'm still alive.

  • brad1-8tsi on 25/10/2022 - 18:47

    It sounds like you had reasonable PPE as it enters the body through the airways. At what point did u realise there was asbestos? Was there anybody with training there?

    I worked in clouds of asbestos dust from age 17 to 27 (brake/clutch mechanic) with no PPE. Here I am @ 61yo with no symptoms. I keep in touch wit 2 of my workmates that worked in similar conditions and they are fine too. It's a luckydip.

    • the Unforgiven on 26/10/2022 - 05:51

      I'm 64 & I used to work as a mechanic
      Those brake & clutch dust was sweet, I remember
      I have emphasema, but I used to be a heavy smoker
      I was told I used to have glass fibers in my left lung,
      but my last scan a few months ago showed it not there,
      I have another scan next month.
      I can't remember which doctor told me this year,
      that the bottom half of both of my lungs are filled with thick green liquid!
      But I asked my doctor last visit & she said they are fine, but she is like that

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