Asbestos Exposure

I need help. 

We have artex ceilings all upstairs in our 1937 house. My dad accidentally put his foot through the ceiling breaking the artex and he fixed it himself. Last year the ceiling was damaged by having a new roof  (we had leaks so it cracked the areas that were effected). We didnt get the artex ceilings tested for asbestos as we never intended to do any work. Since the artex has been damaged, I'm absolutely petrified about finding out if it contains asbestos. We tested one room which came back negative but I'm yet to test another room but I'm too scared to do it. We have two very young children in the house so I'm so scared that if it does contain asbestos they have been harmed. I worry that much that I'm scared that I will loose them. Any cough they have my anxiety goes through the roof.  I know I need to get it tested but I'm massively struggling to do it. I'm worried that I may have exposed my little ones and the cost if its positive and it needs to be removed. I'm constantly researching which isnt helping. Also, my dad recently found he had scaring on his lungs, they asked if he previously had covid or worked with asbestos. For some reason he told them he has worked with asbestos because we know hes removed it from his old boiler so he is saying it's from covid. This has also heightened my anxiety as I'm worried that it's from damaging our ceiling. 

  • Hello Anxiety1613,

    Asbestos only becomes dangerous when its fibres are released into the air so it's great that the test has come back negative so far, but it will give you peace of mind once you know the other room is tested. I would encourage you to do this. 

    It's normal to be worried but it can have a negative impact on your anxiety levels, mindfulness can be a useful way to calm your thoughts. 

    I hope this helps,

    Moderator Anastasia