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LozM  
#1 Posted : 03 July 2021 06:37:57(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
LozM

Hi, Not sure if this is the right place to post question, builders have accidentally cut through chrysolite asbestos cement board with reciprocating saw in softfit about 30cm away from kids bedroom window, cuts took about 30 seconds. The windows were closed, they are old wooden windows but do have okay plastic seals albeit old. I am freaking out that some dust could have got into bedroom, I know being a bit irrational as they were closed but wandered if anyone had experience in this area. Many thanks, Lawrence
achrn  
#2 Posted : 03 July 2021 09:12:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
achrn

It shouldn't have happened, but don't freak out.

There has been much publicity along the lines of just one fibre can cause terrrible disease, but there's not really any evidence of that.  Although there is no level of asbestos exposure that is considered 'safe', the people that suffer from asbestos-related diseases are those that worked around it and got exposed day after day.

So wipe down (damp cloth) the window-frame and window-cill and don't worry about it.  There's nothing else you can do about it anyway, and there are probably a thousand more dangerous things around your children every day.

thanks 2 users thanked achrn for this useful post.
LozM on 03/07/2021(UTC), aud on 07/07/2021(UTC)
LozM  
#3 Posted : 03 July 2021 09:43:01(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
LozM

Originally Posted by: achrn Go to Quoted Post

It shouldn't have happened, but don't freak out.

There has been much publicity along the lines of just one fibre can cause terrrible disease, but there's not really any evidence of that.  Although there is no level of asbestos exposure that is considered 'safe', the people that suffer from asbestos-related diseases are those that worked around it and got exposed day after day.

So wipe down (damp cloth) the window-frame and window-cill and don't worry about it.  There's nothing else you can do about it anyway, and there are probably a thousand more dangerous things around your children every day.

Thanks for quick reply, much appreciated, have wiped down everything with wet kitchen towel, dust that was there was very likely to have already been present, my worry is some did get in, by sounds of advice you think that might be possible and to be honest worries me to death as they are still sleeping in that room and just envisage dust still floating around in there everyday.

stevedm  
#4 Posted : 03 July 2021 10:02:04(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

Chrysolite, thankfully, poses much less of a risk than brown/blue asbestos..as the shape is curly rather than straight, meaning is it wee bit harder to induce that sort of lung injury...the length of time of the exposure is also a factor..if you are concerned there are support groups from cancer research who can help advise also a chat with your GP...

thanks 1 user thanked stevedm for this useful post.
LozM on 03/07/2021(UTC)
LozM  
#5 Posted : 03 July 2021 11:22:38(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
LozM

Originally Posted by: stevedm Go to Quoted Post

Chrysolite, thankfully, poses much less of a risk than brown/blue asbestos..as the shape is curly rather than straight, meaning is it wee bit harder to induce that sort of lung injury...the length of time of the exposure is also a factor..if you are concerned there are support groups from cancer research who can help advise also a chat with your GP...

Thanks for your reply, that concurs with what been reading but thinking of those outcomes is what is causing the anxiety as really don't want to have exposed the children to anything.  Guess no way of knowing if any got in, not sure if anyone has experience of how he dust reacts outside once cut, is it actually possible for it to get in a window or is there just no way of knowing, we are really upset by it all. 

Roundtuit  
#6 Posted : 03 July 2021 12:57:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Stop researching yourself in to an early grave.

There are many sources of particles, fibres and other substances hazardous to health.

Asbestos was used in the friction materials (brakes/clutches) of vehicles for decades with their cast off being deposited on the roads, pavements, fields.

Vehicle tyres shed some quite nasty plasticisers and as above will become widely dispersed.

Petrol engines used to spread lead whilst diesel engines still emit particulates.

In the grand scheme of things you are more likely to win the lottery than have been exposed to an asbestos fibre from this single incident.

Spend the day in London travelling by tube then see what colour your handkerchief becomes when used.

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
LozM on 03/07/2021(UTC), LozM on 03/07/2021(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#7 Posted : 03 July 2021 12:57:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Stop researching yourself in to an early grave.

There are many sources of particles, fibres and other substances hazardous to health.

Asbestos was used in the friction materials (brakes/clutches) of vehicles for decades with their cast off being deposited on the roads, pavements, fields.

Vehicle tyres shed some quite nasty plasticisers and as above will become widely dispersed.

Petrol engines used to spread lead whilst diesel engines still emit particulates.

In the grand scheme of things you are more likely to win the lottery than have been exposed to an asbestos fibre from this single incident.

Spend the day in London travelling by tube then see what colour your handkerchief becomes when used.

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
LozM on 03/07/2021(UTC), LozM on 03/07/2021(UTC)
peter gotch  
#8 Posted : 03 July 2021 13:28:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Hi Lawrence, the advice already given is appropriate and Roundtuit has given some context.

If you live in an urban area, the chances are that you breathe in a tiny, tiny amount of asbestos on a daily basis. But all the science points to a "dose response" relationship, i.e. the more you inhale, the greater the chance of sustaining asbestos related disease.

You and your children face many other risks which are probably much more significant - poor air quality, potential flooding or simply crossing the road.

It is simply not worth worrying about potential ingress of fibres from a very short period of work done outside when there are much greater risks to your children out there. Assume that the dust you have wiped up is household dust, throw the damp paper towels into your bin bag and please don't fret. My daughter used to stop breathing when she was very small and had a few trips to A&E and paediatrics as a result. But next week she will be 39!

Take care, Peter

thanks 1 user thanked peter gotch for this useful post.
LozM on 03/07/2021(UTC)
LozM  
#9 Posted : 03 July 2021 15:11:48(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
LozM

Originally Posted by: peter gotch Go to Quoted Post

Hi Lawrence, the advice already given is appropriate and Roundtuit has given some context.

If you live in an urban area, the chances are that you breathe in a tiny, tiny amount of asbestos on a daily basis. But all the science points to a "dose response" relationship, i.e. the more you inhale, the greater the chance of sustaining asbestos related disease.

You and your children face many other risks which are probably much more significant - poor air quality, potential flooding or simply crossing the road.

It is simply not worth worrying about potential ingress of fibres from a very short period of work done outside when there are much greater risks to your children out there. Assume that the dust you have wiped up is household dust, throw the damp paper towels into your bin bag and please don't fret. My daughter used to stop breathing when she was very small and had a few trips to A&E and paediatrics as a result. But next week she will be 39!

Take care, Peter

Thanks for reply, re-assuring words, just have first ever bad anxiety over something as keep thinking there is stuff circulating in that room and they are breathing it in, I know not really rational as chances of any getting in is slim at best and that if any did doesn't mean worst outcome given they probably get a bit in their ancient school every now and then but just hate to think hat something happened to increase the chances on that front, will try and move on but really struggling with it,

Thanks,

Lawrence 

 

HSSnail  
#10 Posted : 05 July 2021 07:17:28(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
HSSnail

Lawrence

you say it was asbestos cement board - ontop of all the good info already given remeber most of what is in that type of material is cement, hence it is not a material that needs a licenced contractor to remove. yes it should not have happened but the chances of their being enough fibers released to cause a seriouse risk are minimal.

thanks 1 user thanked HSSnail for this useful post.
LozM on 05/07/2021(UTC)
LozM  
#11 Posted : 05 July 2021 07:56:01(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
LozM

Originally Posted by: Brian Hagyard Go to Quoted Post

Lawrence

you say it was asbestos cement board - ontop of all the good info already given remeber most of what is in that type of material is cement, hence it is not a material that needs a licenced contractor to remove. yes it should not have happened but the chances of their being enough fibers released to cause a seriouse risk are minimal.

Thanks for reply, much appreciated, did see quite a bit of dust released but as you say most of what I saw would have been cement dust, it did bow towards windows and just hoping it carried on past, the windows have pretty poor seals but hoping none of it would have worked its way in,

Lawrence

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