Asbestos Health Risks for Spokane Homeowners
Asbestos matters because of what it does when fibers are breathed. This page sticks to what government sources say and what you can do to lower your risk.
- What regulators say
- What to avoid
- What to do after a disturbance
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What the local rule says
Spokane's clean air agency calls airborne asbestos a serious hazard.
SRCAA Regulation 9.01 states that asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma (SRCAA Regulation 9.01). EPA states that asbestos causes cancer and other diseases and that there is no known safe level of exposure (EPA fact sheet).
When asbestos becomes a risk
Material that is intact and left alone releases little. Trouble starts when it is disturbed: sanding, scraping, drilling, cutting, breaking or even vigorous sweeping. EPA notes that sanding tiles, or scraping the backing of sheet flooring, can release fibers (EPA).
Dry work
Sanding or scraping without wetting the material.
Power tools
Saws, grinders and sanders create fine dust.
Damaged material
Crumbling wrap and water-damaged texture shed more easily.
Cleanup mistakes
Dry sweeping or a standard vacuum can put fibers back in the air.
What to do after a disturbance
- Stop. Leave the area and keep others out.
- Turn off air handling. Shut off fans and furnaces to avoid spreading dust.
- Seal the room. Close the door and cover vents.
- Do not clean up. No sweeping or vacuuming.
- Call a professional. A certified contractor can assess and clean the area.
- Talk to a doctor. If you were exposed and are worried, ask a physician.
What this site cannot tell you
We are not a medical provider and this page is not health advice. EPA says it is not possible to say whether a past exposure will result in disease (EPA). If you have specific concerns, a doctor is the right person to ask.
To reduce risk going forward, read the home-age guide and the survey guide.
Back to the Asbestos Removal Spokane home page.
Asbestos Health Risks: questions and answers
Is asbestos dangerous if left alone?
Intact material releases little. The danger is airborne fibers, which come from disturbance.
What diseases are linked to asbestos?
SRCAA's regulation names lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma (Regulation 9.01).
Is there a safe level?
EPA says there is no known safe level of exposure (EPA).
I scraped my ceiling before I knew. What now?
Stop, seal the room and call. Talk to a doctor if you are worried.
Can I vacuum asbestos dust?
A standard vacuum can spread fibers. Professionals use HEPA-filtered equipment.
Should I move out during removal?
It depends on the scope. We explain when we scope the job.
Worried about exposure?
Call us and we will explain how to contain the area while you plan next steps.