Drywall Dust/Asbestos Clean up

[KNS]

I removed some ancient wallpaper from an 8X10 ft wall using steam and scrapers.

I wanted to seal the wall prior to new paint and the instructions on the can say to sand and wet wipe down. Which I did. Unbeknownst to me drywall mud and tape contains asbestos The house was built in 1971.

I wore a cheap mask during most of the sanding but not all of the dust clean up. Now that I’ve found out what a blunder I’ve made I’m trying to clean up the house the best I can. I worried that AC being on (it’s over 95 outside) will have distributed some of the dust around the house.

I’m wiping/mopping everything down and I rented a wet vac/carpet cleaner and am doing the carpets. Everything that might have been exposed to dust is getting washed or cleaned (I’m wearing a mask during the cleaning). I’m concerned that the dust may be in the HVAC system. I replaced the filter with the most expensive one I could find and will keep replacing it.

How much did I screw up? Do I need to have the air tested in the house?
Please don’t jump on me - I’m beating myself up already.

[Dantilla]

Exposure to asbestos is not "Insta-death".
What you have been exposed to probably equals smoking a cigarette or two.
Not healthy, but but surely not worth a panicky run to the emergency room.

[Cajundaddy]

My impression after working with plaster products renovation since the 1970s- Your situation is less than ideal but probably not the end of the world. Clean it all up as best you can, avoid dust becoming airborne, use a HEPA filter in your HVAC for the rest of the year. You can have it tested but you risk overzealous regulation. Seal up the wall, paint, and your health risk is approaching zero. JMHO
https://www.asbestos123.com/news/asbestos-in-drywall/

[908/930]

I think you are ok, keep the mask on and do a good cleanup. Not sure what percentage asbestos was in drywall mud, would also be adhesive in there for taping so that could help. Just think about how many items asbestos was placed in years ago, floor tiles brake pads and many other items. Don't get me wrong none of it is good for you but most dust is really not good for you. You might need to hose down your AC coil, drywall dust will stick to that.

[David]

We deal with asbestos gaskets far too often at work.

Asbestos testing is about $25 per sample here. I'd take a piece of your old A/C filter and maybe some dust near the work site to be tested.

This is just for piece of mind that you don't have asbestos dust in your HVAC ducts.

As for the rest, I'd just do a good wet rag wipe down of the room.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Just an FYI not a PARF statement, just a guy whose Dad died of Asbestosis

Admin wants to bring back Asbestos for usage again.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/trump-considering-asbestos-ban-reversal-sparks-warning-lives-at-risk/ar-AA1H6T7i

[wdfifteen]

I think you are probably doing whatever you can. Good for you for being pro-active, but as stated, asbestosis is not instant death.

I lived in a house for 5 years that had a converted coal furnace in the basement. I kid you not, the insulation for the furnace was about 6" of asbestos powder just piled on top. This was by design. The furnace had a raised ring around the top to contain the asbestos.
I was 20 to 25 then, and I'm 75 now - and not dead.

[KNS]

Thanks for all the replies so far, everyone.

My next door neighbor, whose lived in this neighborhood for 40 years, said he would be really surprised if there was asbestos in the drywall finish, he’s’ done plenty of work on his walls over the years, he stated. Still from all the online research I’ve done so far, it seems very common.

[Dantilla]

By 1971, if there is any asbestos at all, it is a very small amount.
I had some rentals tested. They were built in 1975, and had zero asbestos.

[JavaBrewer]

Spray some windex on it, put into a plastic bag, and dump in the garbage.

Edit - under no circumstances do you alert authorities. My MIL had mold in the corner of her laundry room. I came in with bleach and paint. No more mold. Didn't even wear a CV mask. Haha.

[Brian 162]

You can get the ductwork cleaned, drywall dust can get everywhere.

[Arizona_928]

Yeah nasty stuff. mesothelioma is a horrible way to die.

Jump suit and clothes that you will throw away. Wet the material with water and some dawn. Avoid the production of dust. Half mask respirator with n100 filter.

[KNS]

The dust has already been cleaned up and the majority of the house wet vacuumed and cleaned as well. I’ve got duct work schedule to be cleaned in a week’s time. My concern now is what’s reaming and floating around the system.

[Arizona_928]

You’ll find it in a few decades…

[NY65912]

I knocked down a lot of boilers in the '70s and 80's, no PPE, the plumbing trade at that time really didn't think it necessary. I used to pick up bags of asbestos from the supplier for jobs, it was like snow in the van.

Thankfully at 70 I have no problem.

So, I really don't think the OP has anything to worry about.