Might have inhaled asbestos while removing popcorn ceiling?
Hello, I recently helped remove a "popcorn" ceiling. We got it wet and simply scraped it off. It did get a bit dusty in there so there was some inhalation for only a few hours and I had a dust mask for about half the time maybe less. Is this an amount of asbestos exposure to be worried about? I am unsure of the age of the home
no no no there is not any immediate pain or anything emergency related just inhaled a bit of dust from workin a few days back and am wondering if it is something I should be concerned with.
I guess no one is reading the question properly >.< I’m not asking if it was asbestos I’m asking if it was which I don’t know if it is then how bad can the few hours of mild exposure be?
ok care bear so just a minor infection and that even has a small chance? I was worried that it would lead to mesothelioma, would once for a few hours of scraping a popcorn ceiling raise your risk factor that much?
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4 comments
badhabyt on May 16, 2010 at 7:53 am
You did breath dust. Whether it was asbestos, only testing the material will tell. There is NO OTHER WAY TO TELL, it must be tested. If asbestos, a dust mask is not protection.
jannsody on May 16, 2010 at 7:53 am
Perhaps call a poison control center and/or call 9-1-1 if no one is there to drive you to the ER at the nearest hospital. One may find out if they recommend oxygen or such.
1-800-222-1222 for poison control.
CareBearChi on May 16, 2010 at 7:53 am
All right I may not have a high answer count yet I am aware of what you are asking as I went though it few years back. I was removing asbestos from a basement yet I was only using a face mask and watering down the asbestos I was told that this would work. However later on I did get a mild lung infection as the particles did irradiate my lungs. The doctors that I saw informed me that I needed to take an antibiotic and it worked to relief the chest pains from the infection.
Ed another contractor with whom worked for an "Asbestos Removal Service" stated that the time of exposure would not have an effect on me getting any pulmonary diseases. He was "Level 1 Certificated" with "Midwest Asbestos Consultants".
Exposure to most particle type items you need a respirator so as not to breath any fibers in your lungs such as asbestos. I was using a rolled up T shirt wetted down, hey I was young and I thought I knew better Ed told me other wise.
Tina B on May 16, 2010 at 7:53 am
No need to panic over a few hours of exposure. Use some saline spray or take a hot steamy shower and clear the dust from your nasal cavities. The dust will sometimes give you a sinus infection.
I’m in the construction field and a lot of the old timers have never taken the precautions recommended by today’s standards. Both when they originally installed the asbestos products and now when they remove them.
In the future it would be a good idea to have the popcorn tested if you are concerned about the asbestos. As a general rule be concerned about pre 1978 era homes.