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Spent two hours ripping up what I later found out was asbestos floor tile. How fucked am I?

Maligna

Maligna

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,806
Canada
Anybody here who works in construction know anything about this topic?

I was ripping up carpet in my bedroom so I could put down laminate. The carpet was glued down to an old tile floor that was breaking up as the carpet was pulled up, so we ripped that up too. Today we were taking all this to the dump and my Dad sees it and tells me it's asbestos tile. Great. Just fucking great.

We were breathing in the dust for two, maybe three hours. I know it's too late to do anything about it now but yeah, how fucked am I?

P.S. I'm already ready for all the Kenshiro memes.
 
kmfdmpig

kmfdmpig

The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
19,347
Maligna said:
Anybody here who works in construction know anything about this topic?

I was ripping up carpet in my bedroom so I could put down laminate. The carpet was glued down to an old tile floor that was breaking up as the carpet was pulled up, so we ripped that up too. Today we were taking all this to the dump and my Dad sees it and tells me it's asbestos tile. Great. Just fucking great.

We were breathing in the dust for two, maybe three hours. I know it's too late to do anything about it now but yeah, how fucked am I?

P.S. I'm already ready for all the Kenshiro memes.
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According to this site it depends how damaged the tiles were. If they were being shredded/torn up then it might be an issue, but if they were coming out intact you should be fine, based on what the site says:
https://ehs.oregonstate.edu/asb-when
 
Pwnz

Pwnz

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Oct 28, 2017
14,279
Places
I'd go to a doctor. Perhaps there's a way to clear out lungs or something shortly after exposure, but then again I don't know shit on account of not being doctor.
 
HamCormier

HamCormier

Banned
Nov 11, 2017
1,040
I don't think it matters all that much -- long-term exposure is the risk, not breathing minimal amount of asbestos.
 
thekonamicode

thekonamicode

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,725
I'm no asbestos doctor, but you would need prolonged exposure to absestos fibers before you develop asbestosis, which can take years for symptoms to show up after said exposure.
 
MrCibb

MrCibb

Member
Dec 12, 2018
5,349
UK
Serious illnesses relating to asbestos really only occur after long-term exposure to it as far as I know. One hit of it, even for a few hours, shouldn't cause you any major issues if you're otherwise a healthy person. Your lungs do have the ability to clear themselves out.

But it ain't good for you! I wouldn't worry but if you wake up with a cough and a scratchy throat, or even just for peace of mind, might be best to see a GP. That's not to say anything would be seriously wrong, but being told by a Doctor that you'll be okay can put your mind at ease. And if something was wrong, you'd be on top of it.
 
Jerm

Jerm

The Fallen
Oct 31, 2017
5,771
If you want peace of mind than you should at least contact your personal doctor and see what they think but I'm reckoning they will tell you you're fine unless you have any issues breathing. Risks from asbestos exposure usually occur over a long term. Wear a mask next time!
 
Quality Garbage

Quality Garbage

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
1,650
San Francisco
PSA:

Whenever you demo anything, WEAR A MASK!!!

Things are designed to be put together, not be taken apart. You have no idea what you expose yourself to when doing demolitions.
 
OP
OP
Maligna

Maligna

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,806
Canada
Yaboosh said:
I'm pretty sure that isn't true. I don't think problems require long term exposure.
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Brazil said:
Over two hours of exposure? lol

You're fine, OP. Asbestosis takes literally years, sometimes decades to become a thing. It's not something you can suffer from after an afternoon of exposure.

Besides, the doctor wouldn't be able to detect anything wrong with you anyway.
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Conflicting reports. Don't know who to believe. Ah!
 
Waffles

Waffles

The Fallen
Oct 27, 2017
1,791
Maligna said:
Conflicting reports. Don't know who to believe. Ah!
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If I recall, the risk has more to do with the type of asbestos that was in the flooring, due to the structure of the fiber. The most commonly used is most dangerous after long term exposure. Other types can be dangerous after a short exposure. But you most likely were exposed to the former, meaning you're probably okay.
 
OP
OP
Maligna

Maligna

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,806
Canada
Bob Beat said:
Well, that seems like the kind of answer a doctor could give.

Instead of, 'pretty sure'.
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Found this on a medical forum:
Unfortunately if someone thinks they have come into contact with asbestos there isn't any known actions or medication that can be prescribed to take away any particles inhaled, and no test available to detect the presence of asbestos in the body. Therefore a visit to the GP in this instance would be of no benefit I'm afraid.
 
Patrick Bateman

Patrick Bateman

Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,625
55 West 81st Street, Upper West Side
Detective Loki said:
I doubt two hours would do much harm

If you're alive now, I'm sure you'll be fine.
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Cancer due to asbest-exposure takes decades (ca. 15-40 years).

But, as OP describes it, if it were "only" a few hours on a single occasion, the chance of cancer due to the asbest is very slim.
You'd need a permanent exposure over some time (literature says 1-2 years) to be in real danger of getting mesotheliomas or asbestosis.
If OP is a smoker or drinker, the chance is higher that he probably dies of that. Or because he got hit by a car.
 
Rodney McKay

Rodney McKay

Member
Oct 26, 2017
12,185
Maligna said:
That sounds like a doctor's worst nightmare.
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There are some nurse call services for minor issues.

My mother works as one and basically gets calls from people on issues. Severe ones they have to call 911, but a lot of stuff is just "put some itch cream in it, put a bandaid in it, might just be gas, etc."
 
Fisty

Fisty

Member
Oct 25, 2017
20,207
Lol I love these "I have a very serious medical question" threads on a video game fourm. Go to the doctor immediately dude, it usually takes long term exposure but you need to get checked
 
OP
OP
Maligna

Maligna

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,806
Canada
Fisty said:
Lol I love these "I have a very serious medical question" threads on a video game fourm. Go to the doctor immediately dude, it usually takes long term exposure but you need to get checked
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Sometimes you just gotta talk about it to see if anyone with experience can help ease your mind. You can't see your doctor at the drop of a hat.

After reading the posts here in a little less freaked out. But I'll definitely mention it to my doctor.
 
Armaros

Armaros

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,901
Asbestos issues stem from long term exposure to the dust and powder.

so unless you snorted asbestos dust, you should be fine as long as you don't continue to breath it in
 
NervousXtian

NervousXtian

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,503
Bob Beat said:
Well, that seems like the kind of answer a doctor could give.

Instead of, 'pretty sure'.
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Well, it doesn't take a doctor to understand what asbestos is.. which is fibrous crystals and the fibrils aren't coming out from inside you with some pill or exercise or some shit.

You'll be fine, don't waste a co-pay going to the doctor. There ain't shit they are going to do.. and wear a damn mask next time and learn what the fuck you are demoing before demoing.
 
Weegian

Weegian

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Oct 27, 2017
3,732
Look on the bright side. Now you'll be able to join one of those mesothelioma class action lawsuits they've been advertising for on TV for the last 15 years.
 
Keikaku

Keikaku

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Oct 27, 2017
4,768
Did the same years ago and zero problems so far. Didn't have a mask so tried to hold my breath when handling that shit.
 
Jarate

Jarate

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Oct 25, 2017
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Bad news, OP, you're gonna die. Probably in 30-40 years though because your exposure has been so limited
 
Matrix XII

Matrix XII

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Oct 27, 2017
2,313
This is a good lesson to always wear a mask. It's just ridiculous what people do without a mask.
 
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