potential single asbestos exposure years ago...question...

[knicks10]

Hello,

I am writing to try and get a little information from anyone who can offer reliable info on a situation that occurred a few years ago.

What happened was about three years ago a friend had asked me if I'd be able to give him a hand with some work...he had a house which was abandoned in the 80's, really old, broken down...essentialy condemned/not liveable. He just wanted a few things lifted out and some photopgrahs taken so I said sure.

He did mention the house was real old, dusty, etc..., so just to be on the safe side I stopped at home depot and picked up a pack of the cheap-er type masks - the paper type ones you see people painting in, doing wood work or whatever...don't remember specs on them or anything, but they were cheap and standard ones from home depot.

Anyway, went to the house...it was BAD,dust, mold, whatever all over. I'd say I was in/out of the house for a combined total of 2-3 hours (never standing still, moving around a bit, lifting a few items/photograohing...no cutting, or expelling anything "visible" like particles in the air from working with any materials, but you could certainly see in the light that the air was not "clean" and there was dust and whatever else.

Now it didn't even occur to me that the mask I had on wouldn't be good enough to protect me until recently someone told me you need special asbestos gear. As I understand that now, am trying to find out what type of trouble I am in (as I am sure/friend has confirmed there was certainly asbestos in the house - was being taken care of but didn't think a one time exposure like that was a death sentence...more long term. Have not had ANY problems since the incident aside from one case of pneumonia after the flu a few months ago (didn't even cough or get irritated whie in/after the house...skin, eyes, all fine...lungs what I'm worried about).  

So I guess my question is, if anyone can provide any reliable info:

1) Assuming I was in a condemned, asbestos-containing, walls and such-peeling home for approximately 2-4 hours (in and out), is that enough to be extremely worried about lung cancer/mesothelioma? I know meso is more rare, but a single exposure (albeit that "intense", is that something CERTAIN to put me at a major risk (on par with something like a career in shipbuilding or asbestos removal)?

2) I am aware asbestos is "everywhere" and were all exposed to it in some regard (and majority okay)...would you say a single exposure like this can sort of go with that - were more concerned with ling term exposure in terms of cancer and major resp. problems

3) I am a non-smoker (never touched a cigareete), and as mentioned had oneumonia a few months ago (chest x-ray revealed no other problems)...should I essentially take this as a "single exposure" and move on with my life? Does stuff like this (or exposure through home renovation like this) happen to people often w/cancer and major diseases not occurring? Can I essentially "not worry" (know there is
NO way to predict that for sure, but what are thoughts about a single exposure for a few hours wearing only tthe home depot masks (not w/ a resprator or anything like that).

Please offer any advice or help you can...I have been beyond upset since the person I spoke to told me "that offers no protection, you could get mesoithelioma or cancer". Just been a
Wreck.

Thanks for all your help.

[knicks10]

Also didn't get to ask...am supposed to be moving into an apartment in which one of the roomates is a smoker. While it has bee guaranteed/discussed that I will not be around/they won't smoke in front of me or others (to avoid 2nd hand, passive smoke), is just BEING in the apartment a huge risk to someone who has had exposure like me (an acute asbestos exposure, combining that w/third hand smoke exposure via smoke that has settled on couches, clothes, walls, etc...in the apartment).

Appreciate advice, info and response. Thanks.

[knicks10]

Wow, have you ever seen a doctor, spoke to anyone about it (or are you yourself in the health profession...saw on your profile you are from india?). Just curious as to why/what you've learned/spoke to that tells you a one time exposure (regardless of how "intense" it is is of negligible risk)...not saying you're wrong at all, just used to the info in the u.s...which appears mostly as, "asbestos - cancer and mesothelioma years down the road"...just trying to get as many resources/info on the subject, interested as to where/why a single exposure in your opinion is a negigible risk.

Thanks again for all your time and posts.

[karunz]

you need not worry,a single exposure is of negligible risk.i was studying in school with asbestos roofing till class 10!!

[knicks10]

Hello, thanks for response. Was just curious, a single exposure (regardless of how "intense" it was - ie, in a house w/tons of it/minimal exposure) stll wouldn't put me at a substantial risk in your opinion? I shouldn't be going to see a pulmonologist to be addressing these concerns given it was only this one time for a few hours?

Thanks for help, appreciate it.

[karunz]

a single exposure will never cause asbestosis or mesothelioma.only chronic exposure will cause respiratory problems that too after many years since exposure.