This is a question that we are often asked. As nurses, we are not experts in asbestos exposure. It is our understanding that the highest risk group of people at risk of getting an asbestos related cancer like mesothelioma (which is still quite a rare cancer) are those who have been exposed to asbestos for long periods of time. This could be over 20,30 or 40 years.
It is worth bearing in mind that practically everyone is exposed to asbestos in that low levels are present in our environment as it can be found in air and soil and yet very few people become ill.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (which is really about health and safety at work), short term exposures with asbestos will most likely have led to minimal exposure to fibres and is very unlikely to have any long-term ill health effects. You can read more about this by clicking here.
You can read more about this on the British Lung Cancer Foundation website at this link.
I do hope that this has helped reassure you. if you remain concerned that perhaps have a chat with your GP.
