Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Endangered?

June 26, 2013 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Michael Schröter

Hello!
Today I spoke with construction workers on the street who spend the whole day cutting old pipes in shallow trenches and replacing them with new ones. I wanted to know if they also come across asbestos pipes or pipes with asbestos insulation during their work and cut them as well. They denied this (as I expected), but of course they can say a lot, and I can't verify it.
When I spoke with them, they were on a break, so the saw was not in operation, and I was careful. The guys were very nice, and as I said goodbye, I gave one of them a friendly pat on his work jacket.
Now I can't stop thinking that with this pat, I may have stirred up and inhaled any asbestos fibers that may have been on his work clothes, or that the fibers may have settled on my hand or clothing and I brought them home.
Suppose the guys do occasionally cut asbestos pipes: before I completely panic and only eat valerian, I ask the experts for advice on how real the danger is or if I am overreacting here.

Dr. med. Michael Schröter

Hello,

Of course, there is always the possibility that workers are sawing asbestos pipes. But on the path you have described, it is very unlikely that you have been contaminated with harmful concentrations of asbestos fibers. You can wash your clothes to feel "free" of asbestos fibers again. Otherwise, I can reassure you.