I recently discovered a contractor scraping off tar paper and black mastic from the hardwood floors in my middle-floor kitchen. This home was built in 1915, and I sent a sample for asbestos testing right after I noticed the work. My concern is whether asbestos fibers can travel between different floors in the house. Should my family stay in the upper levels while we wait for the test results? Since we don't have central AC, I'm unsure if heat might carry fibers upstairs. Is it safe to remain in the house or should we find somewhere else to stay?
3 Answers
Typically, the main risk from asbestos stems from long-term exposure, like for construction workers, not just a one-time incident. If you've got some airborne fibers, they might migrate through the air a little, but unless you're inhaling large amounts consistently, you’re probably not at serious risk. Just be cautious and avoid spending lots of time in areas where there's visible dust.
For added precaution, consider running a humidifier. Asbestos fibers don't like moisture, so keeping the air damp could help prevent them from floating around. Still, it's important not to be overly relaxed about it.
So you're suggesting asbestos is like a paper cat? That's a funny way to think about it!
Proper cleanup is key here. While it’s true that exposure risks are greater for those directly handling asbestos, if you take precautions like keeping that area wet and cleaning thoroughly, you should be okay. Most of the time, incidental exposure is manageable, especially if you stay away from where the work is happening. I wouldn’t stress too much about it as long as you keep the dust in check.
I get what you're saying, but I have a 3-year-old. If we close the doors and stay upstairs, is that really safe for them? I’m worried I might be overreacting but also don’t want to take any chances.