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The other day I looked up at my popcorn ceiling right above my door/entrance way and there is a huge blank spot. I mean the paint and 'popcorn' is gone, there's a like 1.5 ft by 3 inch brown spot where there is no paint. I dono how it happened. Maybe because we moved in recently and the couch scraped the ceiling? Anyway will I die from asbestos??? I'm so damn scared now. I mean since the ceiling was disturbed did it release fibers and are there so many I'll die? Landlord said in lease there's asbestos in these apartments, since they were built in early 70's and asbestos used as fire retardant. PLEASE HELP!

2007-01-15 13:12:18 · 11 answers · asked by Mister 2 in Health Diseases & Conditions Cancer

11 answers

No, the whole asbestos/cancer thing is blown WAY out of proportion.

Yes, there is a distinct link between inhaling asbestos fibers and respiratory cancers such as mesothelioma. But you have to be exposed to quite a lot of asbestos to have a problem, and it has to be in a fibrous form that your respiratory system cannot easily expel the fibers. People who installed or repaired asbestos insulation and things like that are the ones who must worry.

Unfortunately, greedy lawyers have got everyone ELSE so worked up about it that everyone thinks they are going to die if there is a one inch square of asbestos within a hundred miles of them.

The "popcorn" used in ceiling texturing was made from a small amount of asbestos in a binder (like paint). This binder, and all subsequent paintings of the ceiling, will have completely encapsulated all the asbestos fibers to the point that they cannot be inhaled in a form that is dangerous to you -- ESPECIALLY not from just a one-time exposure. If you were a professional asbestos remover, exposed to it every day for your working life, you MIGHT have a concern. Think of it like this: you know that pink fiberglass insulation material in some attics, and how nasty that stuff is to work with? You know it's not going to be good for you to breathe that stuff in all day long. But cars and boats and houses and all sorts of things have fiberglass parts and bodies, and that doesn't irritate our systems -- because it is encapsulated in a resin and it stays that way. If you WORKED with fiberglass fibers day in and day out you would have to worry about chronic exposure issues. But just casual contact in day to day life will not expose you to enough to worry about.

Think about it -- automobile brake linings were made from asbestos for over 50 years. Practically every car in the world shed asbestos fibers whenever the brakes were applied. And every home in America had those ugly "popcorn" ceilings. And guess what, if your floors had those grayish colored tiles then it was made of asbestos too. Asbestos was used in home siding, pipe insulation, caulks, paints, and just about everything you can think of for decades. If asbestos was all that big of a problem from casual contact, there would not be anyone left alive in this country today.

I would definitely remove that "popcorn" ceiling from your home -- but just because they are ugly as sin and collect dirt and dust worse than a modern textured ceiling. Not because they have asbestos in them. If you are really worried and don't want to go through the hassle of removing the popcorn, ask your landlord if it is OK to paint it over with a layer of paint.

Oh yeah, and if the landlord disclosed the presence of asbestos in the lease, no you can't sue him over it. Even if he hadn't disclosed it, the most you could have gotten from the fact was to be released from your lease obligations.

2007-01-15 13:52:07 · answer #1 · answered by Mustela Frenata 5 · 2 3

2 out of 1000 people exposed to heavy amounts of asbestos actually are affected by it. Most people with heavy exposure take 20 to 40 years to develop the symptoms, but by then it is too late. The fact that it only affects .2% of people exposed is why it is still in use today. It is still legal to use asbestos in the US,as a matter of fact as long as the product contains 1% or less of asbestos it can be labeled "asbestos free". Even though the EPA has found that there is no safe level of exposure. By the way that declaration in your lease relieves not only the owner of responsibility for your death, but also anyone involved in the manufacture and installation of the asbestos product. I wish I could tell you won't die from exposure, but the fact is that you might, on the bright side it will be years down the road. On the other hand it's not the way anybody wants to die, they call it the "death of a million cuts".

2007-01-15 13:37:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2 2

I'm very sorry. When asbestos goes into the lungs (any amount even tiny bits) it will kill you about 20 30 years later. It will stop your breathing and slowly break down your lungs. Asbestos is very very dangerous. That's why it's banned.

2015-04-26 08:07:26 · answer #3 · answered by Richard 1 · 1 0

Asbestos isn't like posion. It won't kill you right away. It is a carcinogen, which means it causes cancer. Many people have been exposed to it unknowlingly and they lived normal lives, however every exposure increases your risk. Businesses usuaully reach settlements with workers that have been exposed, so that they don't get sued later on. This stuff is dangerous. Move asap if you care about your longterm health, and seal off the blank spot in the mean time. Protect yourself while you work on it, or hire a professional. better yet, make your landlord or take legal action.

2007-01-15 13:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by the_gud_one 3 · 2 2

you're actually not one hundred% probably to die and you will not die at once interior the subsequent 10 years... probably. Asbestos is a topic because of the fact the debris are so small they reason maximum cancers, which could be 'cured' if caught early; it fairly is in case you even improve it. whilst working with asbestos you ought to positioned thick blankets over each thing and positioned on gas mask variety breathers to keep away from the particulates from getting into your lungs, additionally you ought to bathe your outfits as we communicate AFTER working with asbestos. specific it is conceivable to suck up assorted the debris with a solid vacuum besides the undeniable fact that with the aid of how small the debris are you won't consistently get all of them; if conceivable do not tamper with asbestos while you're actually not experienced and in possession of appropriate kit! i've got self belief it is conceivable to pay human beings to do away with the asbestos out of your place; besides the undeniable fact which you will ought to vacate it for it sluggish (possibly months, possibly longer) and it fairly is not low-value for not many human beings will touch asbestos. you may pass homestead in case you please besides the undeniable fact that the price of shifting house is probably on par if not slightly better than getting the asbestos bumped off professionally; besides the undeniable fact that as stated in the previous if left to lie it fairly is not liable to reason any issues on your wellbeing

2016-10-31 05:27:41 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

number one are you sure its asbestos.number two if it is the the landlord should have made sure it was sealed and covered or even removed before he let you move in. have a professional come over and make sure its asbestos first.don't stay in that room until you know for sure thats what it is.the short term you were in there isn't enough to do you any harm.so don't worry too much.if it is asbestos call the health department and report it.i worked in a building that had asbestos for nine years and i'm still here and thats considered long term exposure.you will be alright, believe me.take care and good luck. pete

2007-01-15 13:34:48 · answer #6 · answered by THE SHADOW 5 · 3 2

Don't worry about that. You would probably need more exposure than that. There is no need to go to a doctor now; it takes 20 years to show up. Most old school ceilings have asbestos in them and I am sure they fall sometimes. People don't seem to be getting sick from that. You mainly get asbestosis and mesothelioma when you work with asbestos.
http://www.ohiohealth.com/bodymayo.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=6&action=detail&ref=1286

2007-01-15 13:21:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2 2

Exposure to abestos, tobacco, radiation or any carcinogen does not gurantee anyone to get cancer. However, it increases the risk.

2007-01-16 05:13:41 · answer #8 · answered by oncogenomics 4 · 2 1

contact the health dept your doctor an attorney and pray real hard. hard; did you breathe any fibers. and you need to find out if that is what it is.

It is the landlord legal and moral responsibility to maintain the rental residence in a safe manner.

asbestos can cause a rare form of lung cancer, and other disorders.

you can sue the u know what out of this guy!

2007-01-15 13:19:49 · answer #9 · answered by tennessee 7 · 0 5

I would move as soon as you can if they will not have that removed. But please make a doctors appointment and tell the doc your concern. They can give you a chest x ray to see if your lungs are OK :O) Hope all is well :O)

2007-01-15 13:22:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1 2

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