Asbestos knowledge help please?

4 years ago

Anyone with asbestos knowledge, some asbestos professional knows if are any of these surfaces dangerous? Does possible asbestos from it gets into air?

I came to visit my friend for few months in a house from 1930 and I am freaking out about possible asbestos.

1. Asbestos was used in tiles grout and caulk (what is around sink and bathroom) and whole kitchen countertop and shower are made of tiles. Since I am using this daily I am terrified of asbestos coming out, the grout and caulk is also deteriorating.

2. Also possible asbestos/lead in window?(paint detorotiating)

3. In garage ceiling?

4. Garage walls?

5. Garage floor has something what dropped maybe when they were patching the ceiling

6.Also Neighboors house is tearing walls since changing all windows and balcony, and doing inside renovation of everything, house 1970,seen piece of wall on the floor there, they dry sweeping all the debris and without bagging they just put it into open car trunk, wind blowing right onto our house from theirs. They live in that house and came for visit and want us to visit but again I am woried they have the asbestos all over them, since when i asked if the company did any asbestos test they have no idea. Is it possible the company is doing renovations without testing in california? I would expect 1970 house high chance for asbestos joints in walls. How worried should I be to visit them or walk around the house.

7. I am super anxious about asbestos bc i now know where it could be. I wish I could always ask someone who knows if this and this is something to be worried about or its safe, but just do not know where to ask. I asked some asbestos company but they never replied. Any advices where to ask so I know this place is safe and I dont have to worry every day when using it?

Thank you!!

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Comments (5)

outpaientzero
4 years ago
No one can tell visually, only suspected and samples need to be collected and sent to a laboratory to know.

If you do freak out around Asbestos It must be horrible when you drive a car and hit the brake or when you walk down a street which cars stopping. Asbestos is still used in car brakes and they're are millions wearing away throwing the stuff into the air, and into you. It's also still used in a whole bunch of stuff around you, everywhere.
Nina S thanked outpaientzero
rrah
4 years ago
No one can tell you if any of that material contains asbestos based on the pictures. That said, it's pretty unlikely that any of the tile, grout or caulk contains asbestos. If the home was built in the 1930's, those elements of the house have likely been replaced multiple times. Caulk just doesn't last that long.

The stain on the garage floor can be anything. It's probably the result of someone cleaning up a spill. Spills happen in garages.

When the ceiling was repaired, probably because of a leak in those pipes any loose fibers were encapsulated.

Asbestos isn't a contagious disease. The neighbors are not spreading it to you. It would stick to them.

The paint probably does contain lead. Are you planning on eating the paint chips? If not, it's not going to harm you.
Nina S thanked rrah
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
Respectfully, your asbestos problem will be solved by a mental health professional, not a contractor.
User
4 years ago
Lead is almost assurred. Lead dust can be absorbed through the skin and breathed in through the lungs. You do not have to eat paint chips to end up with lead poisoning. And it’s disingenious to even suggest that. Adults have less risk than children gor damage from lead. But the risk is not 0 if there is lead dust from operable windows and flaking paint. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/lead

Asbestos is going to be very very rare in any of that. Fluffy old white pipe insulation? You bet. 9x9 vinyl floor tiles, sure. But only the insulation has friability concerns. None of what you picture would be concerning in the US. In Europe, possibly, but not likely. https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Ceramic-Tile-Asbestos-Content-FAQs.php

But if you have major fears about any if this, you should find a 1980+ building to live in. And perhaps you should get some knowledge based training about the risks, and how to remediate asbestos, in order to allay your fears of it. https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/asbestos-professionals#where
Nina S thanked User
toxcrusadr
4 years ago
Visiting for a few months is not going to result in a dangerous level of exposure to any of this. Besides the fact that most of it is very unlikely to even contain asbestos.

Even the neighbors replacing windows are not likely disturbing quantities of asbestos. Wall insulation is not typically asbestos. In fact, I've never heard of it being used that way. Window caulk is the same - just not likely. Sure, the neighbors should be taking better care of their construction dust, especially in view of the probability of interior lead paint. But it's not going to contaminate you being near them (unless they're wearing last week's clothes). The dose makes the poison, and even walking through a house with high lead dust levels will not likely produce any measurable change in your blood lead.
Nina S thanked toxcrusadr