How much asbestos can you be exposed to

You might be concerned that you could develop an asbestos related disease. It is quite normal and very natural to feel like that. If you have been exposed to Asbestos fibres over a very short period of time then the risk of disease is very small.

You can continue to have a normal life just as you had before. However it is important that you try to avoid any further exposure. If you are concerned about anything to do with Asbestos, why not to talk with someone? Find someone to share your problem.

When asbestos is released into the air, it enters the surrounding environment. You can be exposed to asbestos if you enter these environments. If exposed to asbestos, many factors contribute to whether harmful health effects will occur. These factors include:. Laboratory studies and studies of asbestos workers show us that asbestos can make you sick.

If you breathe asbestos fibers, you may increase the risk of several serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos exposure may increase your risk for cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer.

No amount of asbestos is considered safe. Products that contain greater than 1 percent of asbestos minerals are considered to be asbestos-containing.

The more asbestos you are exposed to, the more likely you are to get an asbestos disease. Asbestosis and lung cancer are dose-related diseases. Dose-related means the more asbestos you breathe, the more likely you are to get sick. Workers who are concerned about asbestos exposure in the workplace should discuss the situation with other employees, their employee health and safety representative, and their employers. If necessary, OSHA can provide more information or make an inspection.

Mine workers can contact MSHA at:. NIOSH conducts asbestos-related research, evaluates work sites for possible health hazards, and makes exposure control recommendations. In addition, NIOSH distributes publications on the health effects of asbestos exposure and can suggest additional sources of information. NIOSH can be contacted at:. Some people with asbestos-related illness may be eligible for Medicare coverage.

Department of Labor DOL website. Benefits include wage replacement, payment for medical care, and, where necessary, medical and vocational rehabilitation assistance in returning to work. Information about eligibility and how to file a claim for benefits under either of these programs is available from:.

Veterans can receive treatment for service-connected and nonservice-connected medical conditions. This agency works in close collaboration with local, state, and other Federal agencies, with tribal governments, and with communities and local health care providers to help prevent or reduce harmful human health effects from exposure to hazardous substances.

The ATSDR provides information about asbestos and where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. The U.

The Asbestos Ombudsman focuses on asbestos in schools and handles questions and complaints. Both the TSCA Hotline and the Asbestos Ombudsman can provide publications on a number of topics, particularly on controlling asbestos exposure in schools and other buildings. The Ombudsman operates a toll-free hotline for small businesses, trade associations, and others seeking free, confidential help.

Questions may be directed to:. Released in April , this brochure includes work practices for both automotive professionals and home mechanics that may be used to avoid asbestos exposure. It also summarizes existing OSHA regulatory requirements for professional auto mechanics.

The CPSC maintains a toll-free hour hotline where callers can obtain product safety and other agency information and report unsafe products. In addition, CPSC publications provide guidelines for repairing and removing asbestos, and general information about asbestos in the home. CPSC can be contacted at:. Office of Information and Public Affairs U.

Individuals can also contact their local or state health department with questions or concerns about asbestos. Menu Contact Dictionary Search. Understanding Cancer. What Is Cancer? Cancer Statistics. Cancer Disparities. Cancer Causes and Prevention.

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If you are renovating an older house, be alert to unexpected sources of asbestos. Get a professional opinion before starting the renovation and hire a professional to conduct the removal. Power sanding floor tiles, plaster walls or partitions made partly from asbestos can release dangerous quantities of inhalable fibres into the air. To find a professional who can test a sample of your material for asbestos, see Directory of Qualified Laboratories in BC www.

These contractors use specialized and personal protective equipment and professional methods for removing asbestos dust and disposing of the material safely. Skip to main content. Print Feedback Email a link Share. Asbestos: When Should I Worry? Last Updated:. July Download PDF:. What is asbestos?