Extensive scientific research (and the National Cancer Institute) have indicated that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.¹

“The overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.”

Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH) ²

However, the length and intensity of an asbestos exposure incident may determine an individual’s likelihood of later developing an asbestos-related health condition. Short-term asbestos exposure could refer to either a single instance of asbestos exposure or several brief exposures.

Short-Term Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was once widely regarded as a “miracle mineral.” Since asbestos is strong, resilient, and remarkably heat resistance, it was used in the manufacture of everything from pipes to textured paint.

While we know now that asbestos can be incredibly dangerous, it was widely used in construction up until the federal government banned asbestos for most residential uses in the late 1970s.

Asbestos’s once widespread use means that most people have encountered asbestos. However, an individual’s risk of developing an asbestos-related health condition is largely dependent on the frequency and intensity of their interactions with asbestos.

Asbestos: An uncertain danger

In general, short-term exposure to asbestos dust and certain asbestos-containing materials is not likely to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other serious asbestos-induced medical conditions.

Most people who develop asbestos diseases suffered long-term exposure. People at risk of long-term asbestos exposure include:

Construction workers, automotive plant employees, and other people who worked with asbestos.
People who resided or worked in buildings with high levels of asbestos contamination.
People who were regularly exposed to asbestos through a family member’s clothing or other personal possessions.

However, short-term asbestos exposures could still present substantial risks.

The Dangers of Short-Term Asbestos Exposure

While short-term asbestos exposure may not always culminate in life-threatening disease, experts agree that any level of asbestos exposure is a dangerous level of asbestos exposure.

An individual’s risk of developing asbestos related diseases could be affected by factors such as:

Whether the individual was wearing protective equipment, such as a mask or ventilator
Whether the individual was exposed to asbestos in a confined space or well-ventilated area
Whether the asbestos was airborne or contained within an asbestos product, such as a floor tile or shingle
Pre-existing health issues, especially respiratory disorders and diseases

Short-term asbestos exposure could also be dangerous if the single exposure or repeated exposures released large amounts of asbestos in a confined or otherwise small area.

Common Asbestos Diseases, Signs, and Symptoms

Common Asbestos Diseases, Signs, and Symptoms

Common asbestos-related conditions include:	Pleural Plaques, the thickening of tissue around the lungs. While this condition is not life-threatening, it can accelerate or prompt more serious respiratory diseases and problems. Asbestosis, a chronic lung condition caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. It is characterized by symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss. Asbestosis gets worse over time and cannot be cured. Mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that causes severe respiratory problems.
The signs of these asbestos-related conditions could include:	Shortness of breath Dry cough Wheezing Crackling or cracking sounds while breathing Unexplained chest pain
While most asbestos-related symptoms affect the lungs, asbestos exposure could also prompt other problems:	Abdominal pain, swelling, or distention Obstructed bowel movements Sudden or unexplained weight loss Loss of appetite Difficulty swallowing Hernias

If you believe you may have developed asbestos-related health problems, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Keep in mind, asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop. Conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma usually do not present any adverse symptoms after the first exposure.

“Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure.”

Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH) ³

The Risks of One-Time Asbestos Exposures

People who are exposed to asbestos only once are not likely to develop mesothelioma or another asbestos related disease.

However, one-time exposures can be dangerous when they involve large concentrations of asbestos.

September 11^th is an oft-cited example of how one-time exposures to asbestos can be fatal.

The collapse of the World Trade Centers sent more than 400 tons of toxic substances, including asbestos, into the air around Downtown Manhattan.

Many people who survived the attacks-along with police officers, firefighters, and other first responders-may have been exposed to sufficiently high concentrations of asbestos to develop asbestosis, mesothelioma, or other serious health conditions. Other lifestyle factors could influence the severity of a one-time asbestos exposure. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that people who smoke cigarettes are more likely to develop asbestos-related health problems after short-term and one-time asbestos exposures.

What to Do After a Suspected Asbestos Exposure

If you believe that your home may be contaminated by asbestos, or that you inhaled asbestos, you could:

Wear a mask when working in or around suspected asbestos-contaminated areas.
Discontinue any planned construction work or renovations until you can confirm whether asbestos is present.
Use a home-test kit to collect a sample of the suspected asbestos. Some state asbestos regulatory agencies test suspected asbestos samples for free, while others maintain databases of companies that offer asbestos testing services. A private asbestos test should not cost more than $35 or $40.
Contact a certified asbestos removal company to remove any asbestos deposits or asbestos-affected materials from your home.

If you may have been exposed to asbestos, speak with your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related damage.

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information helps you. If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, including testing for exposure or how to file a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190.

1 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.
2 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.
3 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.