Get an air test, as that will tell you for sure how much asbestos is floating around. There are companies that do this sort of testing (for a few hundred bucks or so) or you may be able to get a kit to do it yourself and send to a lab to analyze.
How long does asbestos stay in air once disturbed?
The toxic mineral dust can remain in the air for hours, placing anyone nearby in danger of inhaling or ingesting it. In an environment with little disturbances, it may take 48 to 72 hours for asbestos fibers to settle. If the dust is disturbed, it can easily become airborne again because it is so light.
Can asbestos fibers be washed out of clothes?
You cannot easily wash asbestos out of clothes. Trying to do so can expose you to asbestos. Regular washing machines are not designed to clean asbestos-contaminated clothing. Trying to wash contaminated clothing will cause asbestos fibers to become airborne.
Does asbestos dissolve?
asbestos fibres are strong, heat and chemical resistant and do not dissolve in water or evaporate.
How do you clear your lungs of asbestos?
Can asbestos be removed from the lungs? No known method exists to remove asbestos fibers from the lungs once they are inhaled. Some types of asbestos are cleared naturally by the lungs or break down in the lungs.
Does asbestos make you itch?
Asbestos will not make you cough or sneeze. It will not make your skin or throat itch. Asbestos fibers get into the air when asbestos materials are damaged, disturbed or removed unsafely.
Does asbestos stay in the lungs forever?
Because asbestos fibers will likely stay in a person’s lungs indefinitely, there is a risk that a person will develop asbestos-related health conditions later on in life, namely, mesothelioma, a potentially fatal cancer.
Can your lungs heal from asbestos?
There’s no cure for asbestosis once it has developed, as it’s not possible to reverse the damage to the lungs. But some treatments can help, such as: pulmonary rehabilitation – a programme of exercises and education to help manage your symptoms.
