Does asbestos exposure aggrevate exisitng allergies - or put it another way, is the coincindental increase in allergy symptoms (rhinitus) with asbestos disruption just a coincidence, physco-sematic, or is there a possible link?
I have an underlying dust-mite allergy, which causes rhintus. Normally its mild.
There have been three incidents where asbestos (ammosite/crysotile mix - AIB board) has been disturbed in our attic or the adjacent attached house attic. In one case I had no involvement in the disturbance.
In each disturbance case, my allergy symptoms increased massively to uncontrollable sneezing, itchy eyes, sometimes breathlessness, painful throat. The disruption was in the attic, and I have been 'reassured' that they asbestos wont find its way into the house. However for a month or so after the disruption, my rhinitus is intolerable. These symptoms tend to resurface from time to time in the (now) proceeding months, and generally my symproms are much worse in this house.
I am now going to get the attic enviromentally cleared at great expense, since although I have no evidence to say that its causing my problems, it does trouble me that things get much worse after the disturbances. This also suggest that I may be exposing myself and family to low levels of asbestos in the house.
I know advice on this matter is difficult to give. I thought it would be helpful to have it discussed, since it seems to me that there really could be a link, possibly unknown, between the two. If so people who have this problem and think that nearby asbestos is contained but cant explain why they are sneezing all the time etc, would be helped by this knowledge.
Thanks,
Mike
This discussion is related to
Asbestos Exposure.