Exposed to high level of raw asbestos for a few hours

[leegrant1987]

Working in a old house roof space cutting out old redundant pipes for most of the day.towards the end of the day I noticed a fairly small mound of white fluffy looking insulation on top of some of the pipes tucked behind a big old Galvanized water tank. I stopped check the asbestos survey which was clear for that area so phoned my boss who got someone out to test it. The test came back as 100% asbestos and contained all 3 types. The roof was completely striped so we'll ventilated but a air test in the room below has recorded a very high level of asbestos fibers in the air. I am now extremely worried and struggling to sleep. Has anyone had a similar experience? is this considered a serious exposure?

[skischool]

Given that the vast majority of members on this site are actually shielding and not activly working in the building industry i very much doubt that many of us can relate to your experience,getting in a loft space would be a major achievement for most of us,

If you have ingested asbestos,apart from initial irritation it is unlikely that you will know the effects for many years to come as most asbestos related illnesses don't materialise symptoms for many years.

i would imagine that you are best consulting with your employer and the health and safety executive as to how you should proceed with this matter.

Wishing you the best of luck but if as you say the roof space was well ventilated and open you may find that you have survived the experience unless you ingested stuff directly,i am of course assumimg that you initially used common sense and protected yourself from dust and debris wearing some form of mask?

[Hidden]

It could be a real problem lee. Hope you were wearing a mask and coveralls. I feel reluctant to link to BLFs page on asbestos. If you can perhaps contact the BLF helpline tomorrow for their expert advice.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Keeping fingers crossed that any tests you have prove ok.

[Preshous]

You don't say how old you are Lee, most asbestos related problems take a good few years to manifest. I worked in the demolition industry when I left school back in the late 70's and into the early 80's and was subject to large amounts of asbestos and as things stand 40 years later no sign of asbetosis. If you are worried then see your Dr and get a scan.

[2greys in reply to Preshous]

I worked for a few years in a old ship's engine room that had lots of asbestos lagging including a boiler that was lagged with flaking blue asbestos, all shaking from the engine vibrations. 45 years later no asbestos related illnesses, just NSCL cancer from stupidly smoking like a trooper.

[Preshous in reply to 2greys]

Coal dust was my downfall....

[peege]

Welcome to the forum leegrant1987. I do hope you can get tested, I'd make the employer pay for private asap so you can rest easy, In the meantime get all the photos, paperwork, job sheets etc copied that you can and keep for future reference . I too hope you were wearing protective mask and clothing , please do in the future to give your lungs the best chance. If you smoke quit now, stick to a healthy weight, healthy diet and keep fit.

03000 030555 is the help line number, office hours. Good luck. P