Will 30 minutes of asbestos exposure hurt you?
A single short exposure to asbestos is very unlikely to cause disease by itself, but there is no known safe level and risk rises with cumulative exposure. If you disturbed asbestos material, leave the area, avoid spreading dust and have the area assessed. Speak to a doctor if you are worried.
Fully licensed and insured
Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
What is known
Asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma are linked mostly to repeated or heavy exposure over time, often years or decades before symptoms appear. Health agencies treat asbestos as having no safe level of exposure, because risk increases with dose. At the same time, one brief encounter is a small part of a person's lifetime exposure.
We are not doctors and cannot assess your health. What we can do is help you deal with the building so that exposure does not continue.
If you think you disturbed asbestos
- Stop work and leave the area.Close the door and keep others out.
- Do not sweep or vacuum.Dry sweeping and household vacuums spread fine fibres. Wet wiping with disposable cloths is better for small amounts.
- Turn off forced air.Shut down the furnace or fans that could carry dust through the house.
- Bag your clothes.Put clothes worn during the work in a sealed bag and shower.
- Call for an assessment.A sample confirms whether the material was asbestos, and a plan follows.
What matters now is the building
If the material is intact and has been properly dealt with, the risk is controlled. If it is damaged and shedding, it keeps exposing the household. We test the material and, when needed, remove it in a contained process. See our asbestos abatement page and our testing page.
If you are concerned about your own health, talk to your doctor and mention the possible exposure. Provincial health and labour agencies also publish guidance for the public.
Everyday situations that disturb material
- Drilling or cutting into old plaster, tile or ceilings
- Sanding or scraping textured finishes
- Pulling up old floor tile or sheet flooring
- Tearing out old pipe or boiler insulation
- Cleaning up after a flood or fire in an older house
Where to find health guidance
Health Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society and Ontario's Ministry of Labour all publish public information on asbestos. If you work in a trade that touches old materials, ask your employer about training and protective equipment, since repeated exposure is the main concern. For your own household, the best protection is a building where asbestos material is identified and managed instead of disturbed.
Related questions
Should I panic if my house was built before the 1990s?
No. Intact material left alone is generally low risk. Test before any renovation.
Do you test after a disturbance?
Yes. We assess the area, sample the material and explain the findings.
Is the assessment free?
Yes.
Request a quote
Tell us what you need and we will get back to you. In a hurry? Calling is fastest.
Call after a disturbance
Call us any day. The assessment is free, and you get a written scope and price before any work begins.
Call now (416) 272-3881