Hello,
The latency (time required) for the effects of exposure to asbestos to be visible on chest radiographs (x-rays) is years not months or days. So, it is highly unlikely if not impossible for the findings that were seen on your x-ray (1-2 months after leaving the apartment) to be related to asbestos exposure.
Based on the information that you have shared, it is very difficult to make the assertion that you had an exposure to asbestos that would increase your lifetime risk of cancer, mesothelioma, or asbestos-related disease.
~ Dr. Parks
This answer provided to you is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this Medhelp.org posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Any further thoughts with the additional information I provided? Thanks.
One other point:
I collected the dust sample from dust, dirt and debris in the shower and bathroom floor. The bathroom was rather clean so there wasn't a lot of dust, so I had to sweep up almost the entire bathroom in order to produce the dust sample for testing.
Thanks, Dr. Parks. I tried to answer your questions below. I would appreciate your further review.
And, is it possible that the water tank was internally lined with a different substance and that the asbestos was the insulation?
---- I don't know for sure but the water tank was more than 50 years old and these tanks were commonly used in this country but are now banned. I assume it wasn't lined with anything else.
Do you have reason to believe that there was an asbestos source other than that of the water tank? (for example, friable asbestos containing ceiling or floor tiles)
----- No, I have no evidence of any other asbestos source. I only lived in the place for 25 days and no longer have access, therefore I can't test the tiles. The bathroom tiles were white 12 x 12 hard tiles (i.e., not vinyl). Ceilings were not popcorn type. Apartment was entirely renovated with modern materials (except water tank, which was specific for the apartment) at least a year before I moved in. But the apartment building itself was 100 years old. I assume asbestos fibers entered the apartment through the water system and then settled on the flloors eventually. This is why I tested the bathroom floor -- but my bedroom was adjacent with an open door.
Did the laboratory provide a report to you that described the sample?
----- Report only stated that: (i) contamination was "siginificant/very heavy"; (ii) type was chrysotile, (iii) Qualitative Analysis of Settled Dust by TEM for Asbestos, (iv) Standard Test Method for Indirect Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscope.
If so, what type of asbestos fiber was present?
----- Chrysotile
My questions were:
1. Assuming the asbestos fibers in the water settled on the floors and then became airborne upon disturbance, how significant was my exposure?
2. Do I have an increased risk for lung cancer, methothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases?
I have another question: could the x-ray results be indicative of asbestos exposure? The doc that reviewed said no. He said the secretion lines were of a bacterial/viral nature. But I don't trust his opinion. He was very dismissive of my asbestos concerns from the get-go.
Hello,
Your questions were:
1. Assuming the asbestos fibers in the water settled on the floors and then became airborne upon disturbance, how significant was my exposure?
2. Do I have an increased risk for lung cancer, methothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases?
It is not possible for me to estimate the significance (or not) of your potential exposure based on the information that you provided.
Typically, we do not think about asbestos exposure occurring by way of water aerosols. And, is it possible that the water tank was internally lined with a different substance and that the asbestos was the insulation?
Do you have reason to believe that there was an asbestos source other than that of the water tank? (for example, friable asbestos containing ceiling or floor tiles)
Did the laboratory provide a report to you that described the sample?
If so, what type of asbestos fiber was present?
~ Dr. Parks
This answer provided to you is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this Medhelp.org posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.