So I was exposed to asbestos

[mtbazz]

I work for a fairly large pharma company, and just last week a building that I spent 5 years working in was closed because of asbestos contamination in the air ducts.

It was supposed to be closed from last weds (12/1) to 12/6, but apparently they found more contamination and it now looks like the building will be closed until the end of the year (at least).

I don't know any details regarding how much asbestos was found, but Im assuming that since the building was scheduled to reopen on the 6th and now wont be opening until the end of the month that it is not an insignificant amount.

The company is not being very forthcoming about it, they have made no effort to contact either current employees that used to work in the building, or to contact former employees who used to work in the building. As a current employee who used to work in the building I only found out about it through the grapevine.

Any suggestions on what to do about this?

 

[brer]

Sound's strange that it was in the air duct's ?
Can we find out the original source , are you worried that you inhaled it ?

 

[tonto]

lawyer up

i was brought up hearing the horror stories about that stuff, if i heard there was asbestos in a place i worked in and management was saying nothing, i would be in their office or sitting outside there house with a claw hammer demanding an answer, that stuff is concentrated evil , you dont fuck around with it.

 

[WasntMe]

get a respiratory specialist referral from your Doc

and get a lawyer recommendation from your respiratory specialist.

be proactive about your health care ... early detection and care from a specialist helps a lot!

 

[ibjamming]

get a respiratory specialist referral from your Doc

and get a lawyer recommendation from your respiratory specialist.

be proactive about your health care ... early detection and care from a specialist helps a lot!

Like he said... Get documentation "just in case".

Personally, I think the risk is overblown. I wouldn't sweat it. I'm "old" and grew up with asbestos all around! It was in everything back then. If it is that dangerous...you'll have a LOT of company...if that's any consolation.

I think the whole "safety" thing is way overblown...in EVERYTHING. They keep us worried about EVERYTHING. Fuck it...just live your life and have a good time. If you listened to EVERY report...you wouldn't do anything (too dangerous), eat anything (It'll give you cancer), or even go outside...yes, the SUN is out to KILL you...and give you CANCER! Bullshit! They didn't even HAVE sunscreen when we were kids. We were outside ALL THE TIME. Sure...laying out in the sun for 8 hours a day every day like some of the girls did for a tan might...but just to cut the lawn? I don't believe you have to slather on the sun screen for that.

We're turning into frightened pussies...

/rant

 

[tonto]

I'm "old" and grew up with asbestos all around!

generally around or exposed?

 

[ibjamming]

generally around or exposed?

"Generally"...the people who have to worry about asbestos are the people who mined it, DIRECTLY worked with it, or were REALLY exposed to it...day in, day out...like coal miners in the dust, only it's asbestos.

Just having it in the air conditioning CAN increase your odds. But I personally don't think going from 1 in a million to 2 in a million is that big a deal. Some would (falsely) believe that it's a 100% increase (meaning dangerous) and THAT is what got the lawyers and the politicians on the bandwagon to make some money off of it.

As a kid...asbestos was EVERYWHERE! The floor tiles, in the ceiling (sorry, no air conditioning then), walls were sprayed with it as fire retardant. You can see...we're not all dropping dead from it. It's the luck of the draw really...you'll either get it or your won't...too late to worry now...eh? Nothing can be done to stop any potential damage. Think of it as you accidentally stuck yourself with a needle...you'll catch something or you won't. Get a test in 20 years and find out. But I say don't worry...there are plenty of other dangerous things out there too they say. Something will get you!

 

[BeardedClam]

I would start looking for a cheap grave plot. Buy one now while the ground is frozen and you'll get the best deal. Also go to legalzoom and create a will. Don't want people fighting over your stash and gear.
I can send you my addy if you need to ditch any of your stuff now.

 

[BeardedClam]

I would start looking for a cheap grave plot. Buy one now while the ground is frozen and you'll get the best deal. Also go to legalzoom and create a will. Don't want people fighting over your stash and gear.
I can send you my addy if you need to ditch any of your stuff now.

J/K

Just go talk to your DR and start a paper trail. You should be fine. Most of the shit you hear on TV is from when they were exposed 20-30 years ago.. Doesn't hit you that fast.
I would still keep a log on all the dates you worked and think you were exposed, so that down the road if there is a CLAIM (lawsuit) you can get your fair share..

Best of luck to you mate


-BC

 

[Captain Ginyu]

Documentation, Attorney, doctor notes, and I wouldn't stop there. If they are stonewalling you dude, get out there and gather former employees & start picketing. Expose those scumbags for what they are!

 

[BOSCO]

First of all find out what sort of asbestos it was, if memory serves there are a few types.
1 is dangerous but I think the other may be not as harmful, lets all hope it was the not so harmful type.

 

[Green lung]

its only bad if you work with the stuff, tearing it out and such. Think how many buildings you have been in that no one even knows that there was abstos insulation.....probably 1000's. Theres tons of buildings that have asbestos still to this day

paranoid stoners

 

[sackoweed]

hmmm a pharma company.. Just ask them for some of those pills they make, Shit should clear right up.. Only becareful you might get the squishy shits, hiccups, penis might fall in the toilet along with heart attack, ears growing 3x their size and you might bark like a dog when trying to meow.. all in humor.. Hope your ok.. peace n pufs..

sacKO

 

[Bionic]

Everyone over 30 has repeated exposure to asbestos; especially if you live in a city.

 

[WasntMe]

get a respiratory specialist referral from your Doc

and get a lawyer recommendation from your respiratory specialist.

be proactive about your health care ... early detection and care from a specialist helps a lot!

I'm in an asbestos exposure program ... this is exactly what you should be doing, spoken with experience.

Your lawyer and doctors will begin to document everything you will need ... especially if you have complications later in life. The annual lung capacity test are an eye opener.

 

[kmk420kali]

I work for a fairly large pharma company, and just last week a building that I spent 5 years working in was closed because of asbestos contamination in the air ducts.

It was supposed to be closed from last weds (12/1) to 12/6, but apparently they found more contamination and it now looks like the building will be closed until the end of the year (at least).

I don't know any details regarding how much asbestos was found, but Im assuming that since the building was scheduled to reopen on the 6th and now wont be opening until the end of the month that it is not an insignificant amount.

The company is not being very forthcoming about it, they have made no effort to contact either current employees that used to work in the building, or to contact former employees who used to work in the building. As a current employee who used to work in the building I only found out about it through the grapevine.

Any suggestions on what to do about this?

Let me help ease your mind a bit--
I used to work for an AC Company, and the asbestos is not "in" the ducts...it is the cardboard looking stuff that is wrapped around the "outside" of the ducting for insulation--
There is very little danger of it being dispersed through the ducting--
It is a pain in the ass to remove, as when you start tearing it off, fibers start going everywhere...that is why removal is so expensive and time consuming--
Just being in the building before the removal started, should pose very little, if any, danger--
Always a good idea to see a Dr tho, to get it documented, just in case--

 

[juicepuddle]

Hope you end up ok health wise in the end, and I have to agree a good lawyer is often an ace up the sleeve.

lawyer up

 

[SOTF420]

Vaporize as much medicinal Cannabis as possible to prevent cancer.

Asbestos, yeah I used to eat the shit but am really trying to cut down on my intake lately.

It's not bad in a salad.

 

[ROJO145]

KMK called it,all asbestos used is encapsulated anyway,its not until its friable that ya worry.When I was a young laborer we would pass thru the double barrier in our tyvek suits only to get inside and take it off and smoke one!!Youll be alright

 

[trouble]

Any suggestions on what to do about this?

Contact the "Gerald Maples" Law Firm in New Orleans, La.
phone # (504) 569-8732.

Gerald is one the best Asbestos Attorney's in the country. He's a specialist in asbestos cases, and one the founding-fathers of some of the first asbestos cases 30+ years ago.

If I were ever exposed to asbestos, I wouldn't want anyone else on my case.


Your welcome to send me a PM if you have further questions regarding my suggestion. And we will shall chat in private.