An aunt passed, an offer was made that would allow us to live in her house and take over ownership so we began renovations. We are currently not in the best financial situation so we decided to do the brunt of the work ourselves. We removed old (25+ years) deteriorating carpet and found beneath it many broken floor tiles and green soft rotted wood below. We decided we needed to replace the rotted board, but there was tile on top. What to do? What to do? "REMOVE IT!" We thought. So we pried up all the tile with putty knives. After wards we decided to look online for directions on removing the adhesive from the floorboards and lo and behold on one website there’s a picture of our EXACT tile. Contains asbestos it says. So I was struck near panic and even though that was a month ago it still wells up now and then. We weren’t living in the house, still have our apartment, and just went on the weekends to work on it but I think all and all we have had about 17-20 hours exposure to whatever we kicked up in the air with the tile. Whatever dust there was I cleaned up almost immediately because I have allergies. We wore no face masks, no protective clothing, nothing – as I was completely unaware that asbestos floor tile even existed (yes I’m an idiot). I’ve found a few similar posts of people freaking out about unintended asbestos exposure via removing old tile, and my one and only friend in the world apparently did the same damn thing so I’m not the only idiot in the world that may have set myself on the path to mesothelioma, but like the title says, I’m frightened. We had the tile tested and it came back 93% Vinyl, 7% asbestos and the adhesive somehow has no asbestos at all. I know what’s done is done and there’s nothing I can do now, but how worried would you be?

The Mesothelioma Resource Center (MesoRC) is a resource for patients and their families. The sections of the site are provided to offer hope and support for those coping with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

I’m planning on visiting an old, rundown building with several friends. I’m concerned about asbestos exposure, as the risk of cancer and other lung issues are prevalent upon being exposed. I don’t intend on touching/burning/destroying anything in the building, so as to avoid releasing potential asbestos into the air. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to how I may protect myself? Is it possible to be exposed simply by walking through an old building?

I was reading about asbestos exposure in comparison to second hand smoke exposure. If your house siding/roofing is made out of asbestos, is that similar to being exposed to second hand smoke every day and just as deadly? Our house isn’t really deteriorating, but it is 50+ years old and they said weather can release asbestos such as heavy rain and snow. What is more dangerous? Also, is walking past smokers outside just as carcinogenic as sitting in a room with someone smoking?

Patient has a history of asthma, allergies, smoking, heavy drinking, and asbestos exposure. Patient has been experiencing increasing difficulty in breathing over the past year and a half, with increased "rescue inhaler" usage. Patient recently started smoking again, within the past 30 days.

Patient is a 35 year old male, mildly overweight, with little to no exercise and a poor diet. Patient has undergone extreme stress, as well a suicidal episode approx. 8 weeks ago.

Your thoughts, doctor?
LOL @ casdave. That’s sweet to think I care…

**UPDATE** (9:15am)
I am now puking once every hour or so, I’m burning up with a temperature of 112 degrees. These things wouldn’t be so bad but I also have blood pouring from my eyeballs and rectum as well. My lymph nodes have grown to the size of grapefruit and I have boils covering around 70% of my body. I’ll keep everyone updated.
This is terrible considering I’ve caught the bird flu, got sick on peanuts, ate Tylenol laced with arsenic, had asbestos exposure, got sick from Chinese kid’s toys with toxic plastic and had reactions to the tomato scare a few months back! Also I was shot in the arm by the DC snipers AND ingested Anthrax when I opened a greasy package two years ago.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHEN WILL IT END?!?!!?
Just trying to make a few folks smile on a Monday! All we hear is bad news lately and I’m just making lite of it. Have a great day folks! Someone is gonna get 10 points regardless.