Albania
A 23-year-old male asked:
i've been living in a house that has damaged walls that might contain asbestos, found a puddle of dust on the floor under wall, is this dangerous?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 49 years experience
Yes, if asbestos: It would be prudent to get the material in the walls tested for asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers is not good for the lungs. It is not feasible to know without getting the material tested.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
If I was vacuuming chipped asbestos and my shop vacuum started blowing it into the air. Could I get sick?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Ankush Bansalanswered
Internal Medicine 17 years experience
Yes: You should always wear a respirator and protective clothing when handling asbestos. Additionally, the air when handling asbestos should be adequately filtered. Any aerosolization of asbestos particles can find their way into your lungs exposing them to asbestos fibers. That doesn't mean it will definitely lead to asbestosis, mesothelioma, or other lung cancers one day but why take the risk?
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
What do asbestos look like exactly?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Albert Pizzoanswered
Family Medicine 60 years experience
Small fibers: Small fibers. Asbestos used to be recognized as an ingredient in things like brake linings, wraping for heating and air cond. Pipes in the home and was in many home products. Usually you don't see the dangerous asbestos fibers that cause disease. Asbestos has now been banished from home and products that could expose one to the fibers.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
What exactly are the dangers of contact with asbestos?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Albert Pizzoanswered
Family Medicine 60 years experience
Asbestos danger: The major danger is inhaling small fibers of asbetos which can be trapped in the lung tissue and cause severe disease such as cancer of the lung.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
Where exactly do asbestos come from?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. David Milleranswered
Family Medicine 10 years experience
It is mined: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined, much like gold, copper and coal. It is composed largely of silicon and has been used for everything from insulation to fire-proofing. When the fibers are inhaled, they can cause significant lung damage and disease. It has been largely banned from building materials in the us.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/asbestos.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
What should I do when in your place of work there are asbestos insulation pipes exposed and deteriorated?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Danny Proffittanswered
Family Medicine 43 years experience
Report: Report this to your immediate supervisor, if not action, report this to that person's supervisor and if not action, report it up the chain of command until there are no others. Report this to the hr person as well. Document all the reports, take pictures and then if no action, notify your local epa authority. We all work around asbestos, still, but if at risk, report and protect.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Mar 25, 2015
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