Rank: New forum user 
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I appreciate that risk is difficult to work out but wondered if anyone could please help with a very specific situation? We had our house rewired a couple of years ago. We moved out for the duration and because 2 member sof the family are asthmatic moved all our stuff out except the really bulky stuff. During the re-wire the electrician drilled 3 holes in the ceiling in the extension which was built in the 70s and unknown to anyone had an aib ceiling under the plaster. He tells us that he used a hoover with a HEPA filter to control dust while drilling but not sure if he did or attempting to cover himself!
We checked with an independent asbestos surveyor as soon as we found out what had happened. He told us it was fine to move back in - 1 week later as holes had been filled in. The Electrician did a really thorough clean, all windows were open during the works and my partner cleaned again before we moved back in. No visible dust but then I know asbestos is not visible! Fast forward to now and I have some asbestos training and am told - we should have had an air test and a distrubance air test and changed all the carpets and curtains. I am horrified that I might have exposed my young kids to risk. The surveyor says the risk is theoretical at best.
Can anyone shed any further light? I don't know where to turn really! The thought of having put my family at risk is horrific.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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A little knowledge can be dangerous...it's true an air clearance certificate post works would have identified if there were any friable fibres. That said, I very much doubt if there would have been enough airborne fibres to cause any real danger given the information you have provided. So don't stress yourself out.
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 1 user thanked RayRapp for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Thank you - so you would agree with the surveyor? What about potential fibres in carpets and curtains around the house?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Given a decent clean after the work and two years on I can't see that any fibres will still be hanging around.
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1 user thanked RayRapp for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Would there have been any/many when we moved back in a week later? (I realise difficult to quantfy but most likely scenario?)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Unfortunately, nobody can give you a cast iron guarantee on this one!
However, given the scenario I would concur with Ray as the vast majority of asbestos related diseases are dose & time related.
If you are still concerned, then either change the soft furnishings or hire in a Class H vacuum cleaner (unfortunately HEPA filters can let asbestos fibres pass through).
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1 user thanked Zyggy for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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So, perhaps not ideal, but the risk is very minimal? Is that fair to say? I wish we could go back and change things, TBH I am having trouble dealing with the thought of having put my kids at even a minimal risk!
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Rank: Super forum user
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As a Dad & Granddad I appreciate your concerns!
However, I would agree that the chances of them getting an asbestos related disease as a result of this one incident is extremely low & you should not beat yourself up & just enjoy them growing up.
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2 users thanked Zyggy for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Perhaps I should add that we have since had the asbestos removed and air tests around the house came back at 0.001, so I guess we can be sure that whatever problems might have been it is now resolved?
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Rank: New forum user
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I'm concerned about the hepa, I've been told previously that although far from ideal, it will be fairly effective in the real world at containing fibres and the risk comes from changing the vacuum bag and re-contaminating?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Lifted straight from the HSE publication em4 (09/17) "Using a Class H vacuum cleaner for asbestos"
" Never use domestic vacuum cleaners even those fitted with high efficiency particle arrestor (HEPA) filters as these are not adequate for use with asbestos & will allow asbestos fibres to pass straight through".
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You are not the first domestic member to ask about works in your home (search function is useful) but please understand this is not a specialist asbestos forum, nor is its primary focus the home environment. Please note the disclaimer at the top of the page - opinions of individuals not experts. Death and taxes are the only certainties in life - their arrival is living.
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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You are not the first domestic member to ask about works in your home (search function is useful) but please understand this is not a specialist asbestos forum, nor is its primary focus the home environment. Please note the disclaimer at the top of the page - opinions of individuals not experts. Death and taxes are the only certainties in life - their arrival is living.
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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