What to Do If You've Touched Asbestos

Introduction

If you suspect you've accidentally touched asbestos, it's natural to feel worried. Asbestos was widely used in older Calgary homes and buildings for insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and other materials before 1990.

Touching asbestos does not cause immediate poisoning or burns – it's not a chemical that absorbs through your skin on contact. However, asbestos is dangerous when disturbed because it can release microscopic fibers into the air. These fibers, if inhaled, can lodge in your lungs and potentially lead to serious health issues decades later.

In Calgary and surrounding areas (including Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, Chestermere, Strathmore, and more), many homes still contain asbestos materials. This article will explain what happens if you accidentally touch asbestos, how dangerous even a little exposure can be, what steps to take immediately, and answer common questions about skin contact, washing off asbestos, and how quickly one can get sick.

What Happens If You Accidentally Touch Asbestos?

Accidentally touching asbestos typically won't make you feel sick right away, because asbestos fibers don't cause immediate symptoms. In fact, asbestos is not like an acid or toxin that instantly harms upon touch – you won't get a burn or instant rash from simply touching it. Asbestos will not make your skin or throat itch, and it won't make you cough or sneeze at the moment of exposure. The real danger of asbestos comes from inhaling or ingesting its fibers once they become airborne.

When you touch an asbestos-containing material (for example, brushing against old pipe insulation or handling an old floor tile), a few scenarios are possible:

If the material is intact and not friable (crumbly), touching it gently might not immediately release fibers. In this case, the risk from a brief touch is low. As long as the asbestos remains enclosed or bound in solid form, it's less likely to harm you. However, even intact materials can become hazardous if they later crack or break, so caution is still warranted.

If the material is damaged, old, or friable, your touch could disturb it and release invisible asbestos dust. Asbestos fibers are microscopic – you won't see them floating in the air. If you accidentally created dust (for example, crumbling a piece of insulation or powdery drywall joint compound), those fibers can be breathed in without you realizing it. Inhalation is the primary route by which asbestos causes harm.

Physical contact with skin: Asbestos on your skin doesn't absorb into your bloodstream. The fibers are too large to pass through intact skin. However, they can get embedded in the outer layer of your skin, leading to local irritation. Repeated direct contact can cause rough callus-like growths known as "asbestos warts" where the fibers lodge in the skin. These warty lesions are benign, but they're a sign asbestos fibers have pierced the skin's surface. You might experience mild itching or a rash at the contact site, though not everyone will have a skin reaction.

In summary, accidentally touching asbestos is not immediately deadly or toxic on its own. You likely won't feel anything unusual right after. The greater concern is what happens afterward: if fibers got released, they could be inhaled and remain in your lungs. Asbestos-related diseases have very long latency periods, so you wouldn't know you've been harmed until many years later if an illness develops.

Is a Little Exposure to Asbestos Dangerous?

Many people who realize they had a brief encounter with asbestos wonder if a one-time or small exposure can really be harmful. The short answer from health experts: there is no completely safe level of asbestos exposure. Even "a little asbestos" is not something to completely shrug off. However, the real-world risk from a single, short exposure is low, especially compared to heavy or repeated exposures.

Here's what research and experts say about small exposures:

No Safe Level: Organizations like OSHA and Health Canada emphasize that no amount of asbestos is considered risk-free. Even brief exposures "as short as a few days" have led to mesothelioma in rare cases, and families of workers have developed cancer from fibers brought home on clothing. As the Minnesota Department of Health plainly states: "No amount of asbestos is considered safe... Very small amounts of asbestos can give you mesothelioma."

Dose-Response Relationship: The risk of disease increases with the amount and duration of exposure. Someone with years of daily exposure (e.g. an asbestos mine worker or tradesperson before regulations) has a far higher chance of illness than someone who breathed in a tiny bit of dust once. This is called a dose-response effect. In practical terms, a little exposure is much less dangerous than a lot of exposure, though not absolutely harmless.

Typical Short Exposure Outcome: Usually, short-term asbestos exposure isn't a major risk factor by itself. The diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma most often come from long-term repeated exposure – for example, working with asbestos materials for years without proper protection. If you were exposed only briefly, your individual risk remains relatively low. Most people who have a one-time minor exposure do not develop asbestos-related illness.

Factors that Matter: The actual danger from a "little" exposure depends on factors like how many fibers were released, how concentrated the dust was, how long you were exposed, and personal factors (age, smoking history, etc.). For instance, drilling for a few minutes into an old wall without a mask might release some fibers, but if the area was ventilated and you left quickly, your dose could be minimal.

Cumulative Risk: One small exposure adds to your lifetime cumulative exposure. The more you are exposed over time, the greater your overall risk. Therefore, even if one incident is unlikely to harm you, it's critical to avoid any further asbestos exposure in the future. Each additional "little exposure" can add up to a bigger risk.

In essence, a tiny exposure to asbestos is not guaranteed to make you sick – and odds are you'll be fine. But because asbestos-related diseases have been seen even in cases of relatively low exposure, health authorities maintain that no exposure is truly safe.

What to Do If You Have Touched Asbestos?

If you realize you have touched or inadvertently disturbed something that may contain asbestos, take immediate steps to minimize any exposure for yourself and others. Acting quickly and safely can significantly reduce the risk of asbestos fibers spreading or being inhaled.

Key Steps to Follow Right Away:

1. Stop and Stay Safe

Avoid further contact with the suspect material. Do not continue touching, cleaning, or messing with it. Step away from the area to avoid breathing any dust. Warn others to keep away as well. The first priority is to prevent any additional disturbance that could release more fibers.

2. Do Not Disturb the Material

Resist the urge to "clean up" the debris or investigate further yourself. Do not sweep, vacuum, or touch the material again, as these actions can send more fibers into the air. Asbestos dust is dangerous when airborne, so it's best left alone until professionals arrive. If something has broken or crumbled, leave it as-is.

3. Isolate the Area

If possible, seal off or close the area where the asbestos material is. For example, gently close the door to the room and tape the gap, or cover the broken material with a plastic sheet to contain fibers. This helps prevent fibers from spreading to other parts of your home and keeps others from unknowingly entering the contaminated area.

4. Remove Contaminated Clothing Carefully

If your clothes or shoes might have asbestos dust on them, do not shake them out or bring them through the house. While still near the exposed area (or outside), carefully remove any clothing that contacted the asbestos. Place the items in a plastic bag and seal it. This prevents fibers from dispersing. Do not mix them with your regular laundry. You might dispose of the clothing if possible, or keep it bagged until you can have it properly laundered by specialists.

5. Wash Exposed Skin (Hands, Body, Hair)

Thoroughly wash your hands and any exposed skin with soap and water as soon as possible. Soap and water will help remove any asbestos fibers that might be on your skin. If the exposure was more than just a touch – for example, if you got dust on you – take a shower promptly. Use plenty of water and soap, and shampoo your hair. This will rinse away fibers from your body. Do not scrub harshly; gentle washing is fine. The goal is to wash off any particles.

6. Avoid Creating Dust

Do not use a normal vacuum, broom, or air blower on asbestos debris. Regular household vacuums will just blow the microscopic fibers out the exhaust, spreading them further. Similarly, sweeping will stir fibers into the air. Leave any clean-up to professionals. If you must do something, lightly wetting the debris down can help keep fibers from becoming airborne, but generally wait for experts who have the right equipment.

7. Contact a Professional Asbestos Service

Once you've contained the immediate situation, call a licensed asbestos professional for help. Do not attempt to remove or fix the asbestos material yourself – in Alberta, it's actually legally required to use certified professionals for asbestos removal or abatement.

A professional will come to inspect the material (taking samples if needed) to verify if it is indeed asbestos-containing. If asbestos is confirmed, they can recommend proper remediation. Often the safest solution is to have a certified team perform an asbestos removal or encapsulation.

8. Inform Others

If other people (family members, coworkers, neighbors) were in or near the area at the time, let them know of the potential asbestos exposure. They may need to follow similar precautions (wash up, change clothes) and will appreciate knowing about the hazard.

9. Monitor Your Health

After the incident, be aware of any unusual symptoms in the weeks, months, and even years to come. Asbestos-related diseases won't appear immediately – they typically take 10-40 years to develop in most cases. You will not feel sick right after inhaling asbestos fibers; there are usually no acute symptoms. Make sure your doctor knows about the asbestos exposure history.

10. Dispose of Waste Properly

If any asbestos-containing material has broken off or fallen, do not throw it in the regular trash. Asbestos waste must be handled and disposed of according to Alberta regulations. The asbestos abatement professionals you hire will take care of this for you.

What Happens If Asbestos Touches Skin?

Worrying about skin contact with asbestos is understandable – maybe you got dust on your arm or accidentally handled an asbestos cement board with bare hands. The good news is that asbestos primarily harms you through inhalation, not through skin absorption.

Understanding Asbestos and Skin Contact:

Skin Irritation: Asbestos fibers are microscopic, but they are very sharp and needle-like. If asbestos dust gets on your skin, especially if you were in heavy contact with it, the tiny fibers can prick or embed into the outer layer of your skin. This can cause irritation, redness, or a mild rash in some people. Over time, repeated or prolonged skin exposure can lead to small hard bumps or calluses where the fibers lodge – these are often called "asbestos warts."

No Absorption Through Intact Skin: Critically, asbestos does not pass through intact skin into your bloodstream or internal organs. The fibers might stick into your skin superficially, but they won't migrate into your body through skin contact alone. So you won't get internal asbestos poisoning just by touch.

Risk of Secondary Inhalation: The main hazard of having asbestos on your skin is that those fibers could later become airborne and get inhaled. For example, if your arms were covered in asbestos dust and you then brush it off or it flakes off as you move, you might breathe those fibers in. Asbestos fibers on your skin or clothing can be transferred to the air or to surfaces where they might later be inhaled by you or even by others.

Immediate Actions for Skin Contact: If asbestos touches your skin, wash the area with soap and water promptly. This will remove most fibers clinging to you. Avoid scratching or rubbing your skin if it's itchy; instead, rinse with running water. Change out of any clothing that got asbestos on it as soon as possible.

No Immediate Health Symptoms: As mentioned earlier, asbestos exposure doesn't cause immediate feelings of illness. So if asbestos got on your skin, you won't feel ill from that contact alone – no dizziness, nausea, etc., from skin exposure. You might just notice some skin itchiness or dryness.

In summary, having asbestos touch your skin is not acutely dangerous in and of itself. The fibers won't soak through your skin. The real issue is making sure those fibers don't end up in your lungs. Focus on thorough washing and cleaning of anything the asbestos dust might be on.

Can Asbestos Be Washed Off Hands?

Yes – if you've gotten asbestos dust on your hands (or other parts of your body), you can and should wash it off as soon as possible. Washing is one of the first recommended responses after potential asbestos contact.

How to Effectively Wash Away Asbestos Fibers:

Use Soap and Water: Run your hands (and arms if needed) under running water with soap. Warm water and any regular soap will do; there's no special decontamination soap required. Make sure to wash thoroughly, scrubbing all surfaces of your hands, between fingers, under nails. The physical action of washing will dislodge fibers from your skin.

Shower for Larger Exposure: If your exposure was more extensive – say you were in a dusty area or have asbestos debris on your hair and body – take a full shower (including washing your hair). This ensures you remove fibers from all areas of skin and hair. Use your regular shampoo and soap.

Gentle Washing: You don't need to use harsh abrasives on your skin; asbestos fibers are tiny dust particles. The key is thorough rinsing. A washcloth can help gently wipe your skin. If you suspect fibers under your fingernails, use a nail brush.

Launder Contaminated Clothing Separately: Washing asbestos off your skin is relatively straightforward; washing it out of clothing is trickier. Normal washing machines can remove some fibers from clothes, but they can also be contaminated in the process. If you decide to wash the clothes that had asbestos on them, do so separately from other laundry, on a hot cycle, and afterward run an empty cycle to rinse the machine.

Can you ever be "100% sure" it's all gone? If you wash thoroughly, you will remove the vast majority of asbestos fibers from your skin. Any theoretical few fibers left on your skin after a good wash would be negligible. The goal of washing is to eliminate practically all risk of you later inhaling fibers that were on you.

Remember that asbestos fibers are very small, but washing and HEPA filtration are effective at capturing them. That's why showering is mandatory for asbestos removal workers after a job – it's the proven way to decontaminate their bodies and prevent carrying fibers out.

How Quickly Can You Get Sick from Asbestos?

As scary as asbestos exposure is, one silver lining is that you do not get sick from asbestos quickly. Asbestos-related diseases have a long development time. Most people will not experience any immediate health effects after a one-time exposure or even after repeated exposures – symptoms, if they occur, typically emerge years or decades later.

Understanding Asbestos Disease Timing:

Latency Period: All asbestos diseases (like lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis) have what's called a latency period. This is the time between the exposure and when the disease starts causing symptoms. Latency periods for asbestos diseases are very long – usually 10 to 40 years. Mesothelioma, for example, often arises 20-50 years after the person's asbestos exposure. You will not feel sick during this latency period. The damage is essentially happening silently at the cellular level over a long time.

No Immediate Symptoms: In the short term, asbestos usually doesn't produce any telltale signs. You won't suddenly start coughing the next day just from a minor asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are very fine and typically don't irritate the respiratory tract in a way that triggers a reflex like sneezing or coughing at the time. This is actually part of what makes asbestos insidious – you can inhale a lot without immediate discomfort.

Asbestosis and Heavy Exposure: In rare cases of extremely heavy exposure, a person might develop asbestosis (lung scarring) in a shorter time frame, perhaps within several years of intensive exposure. But this scenario involves very high fiber concentrations. For a single accidental touch or brief exposure, you would not develop asbestosis.

Psychological Effects: While asbestos won't make you acutely ill, the stress and worry after a possible exposure can certainly make you feel unwell. It's common to become hyper-aware of your breathing or develop anxiety. If you find yourself anxious, remind yourself that immediate illness is extremely unlikely from this event.

Medical Checks: Because illness, if any, shows up so much later, there isn't much your doctor can detect immediately after exposure. There's no blood test or scan that can see asbestos fibers in your lungs directly. A chest X-ray or CT scan right after exposure would likely look normal.

Early Symptoms to Watch (Years Later): The first signs of asbestos-related disease can be subtle and easily attributed to other causes. Early symptoms include shortness of breath, a mild persistent cough, chest or shoulder pain, or fatigue. These usually appear many years post-exposure. It's wise to stop smoking if you smoke, as smoking in combination with asbestos exposure greatly increases lung cancer risk.

In conclusion, you cannot get "sick" from asbestos quickly in the way you might from a virus or chemical poison. It's a long game. The goal is to minimize exposure and monitor health over time.

Calgary-Specific Guidance and Next Steps

For readers in Calgary and surrounding areas, it's important to know that asbestos is a well-recognized hazard here given the number of older homes and buildings. The provincial and local regulations are strict about asbestos management, and there are resources available to help you.

Local Professional Services

If you're concerned about asbestos in your home (perhaps the material you touched or other suspect materials), consider scheduling a professional asbestos inspection or testing. In Calgary, companies like Amity Environmental offer comprehensive asbestos inspection and testing services. A certified inspector can come to your property, take samples of suspected materials (safely, without exposing you), and have them analyzed in a lab.

Asbestos Removal and Abatement

Should you need to remove asbestos (for instance, if the material is damaged or you're planning renovations), always hire a professional asbestos removal service. Attempting removal yourself with no training or proper gear can turn a contained situation into a widespread contamination. Calgary has certified asbestos abatement contractors who adhere to strict safety protocols.

Remember, asbestos abatement contractors have specialized training, respirators, containment equipment, and know the provincial safety regulations to handle the material without putting anyone at risk. After removal, they typically perform air clearance tests to make sure your space is safe to re-enter.

Health Follow-Up

Calgary residents can also reach out to Alberta Health Services or their family doctor if they have health concerns after an asbestos encounter. While immediate testing might not show anything, your doctor can add the exposure to your medical record.

Community Resources

You might find it helpful to consult resources like the Government of Canada's asbestos safety guidelines or Alberta OHS guidelines if you plan any renovations. The key takeaways: do not disturb materials that may contain asbestos and hire professionals to test and remove asbestos before any demolition or remodeling.

Peace of Mind

Taking the proper steps after touching asbestos – as outlined in this article – should give you peace of mind. By promptly removing any fibers from yourself, containing the area, and involving professionals, you've effectively managed the risk. Many Calgary homeowners have safely dealt with asbestos situations by following these guidelines and using expert help.

Final Thoughts

In summary, if you've touched asbestos, stay calm but act swiftly. A little exposure is unlikely to harm you, especially if you take the right precautions afterward. Wash up, avoid further contact, and call in the experts to handle the material. Keep an eye on your health long-term, but don't lose sleep over a one-time incident – just use it as motivation to be cautious going forward.

Remember, your health and safety come first. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and consult professionals. Asbestos is one problem where doing it right the first time – with proper testing and abatement – is far better than dealing with consequences later.

Important: In Calgary and all of Alberta, any work involving asbestos is legally required to be performed by properly trained and certified personnel. Homeowners are strongly discouraged from ever attempting DIY asbestos removal. Not only is it dangerous, but you could also face fines or serious health risks.

If you're in Calgary or Southern Alberta and need help with asbestos concerns, contact us for expert advice, testing, or removal services. We have the experience to ensure that any asbestos in your environment is handled in the safest way possible, keeping your home or workplace healthy and asbestos-free.