Asbestos worry

[Vworriedpleasehelp]

I don't know where to start but I am certain that we have been exposed to asbestos continually for six years and I don't even know how to tell my partner. I am sick with worry and have been in touch with local council and a local asbestos company happy to come and see the space and take a sample away for checking. I haven't slept for days now and it's all I think about. Has anyone else been in this situation?! How can I tell him?! Please help 😔

What sort of exposure?
Is it not only an issue if the asbestos has been disturbed?

What do you mean exposed. Have you disturbed an area tgst may have asbestos. Ie drilled into, knocked down a wall etc?
Asbestos is literally everywhere, schools, hospitals, care homes, private houses, shops? What makes you think you have been exposed?

It's in a vent which has been open

A vent for what, where does it lead, what is it venting. Why fo you think it has u stable asbestos?

It's for an airbrick and was exposed into our bedroom until a few weeks ago. A builder closed it up and said he thought it should be looked at. Seriously, I feel so sick.

Asbestos is not dangerous unless it is chopped, cut, sawn into or disturbed in some way, like nails knocked into it etc It's only when the fibres inside the brick (or whatever product it is) become airborne that you have a problem. If the airbrick has not been disturbed then there shouldn't be a problem. But of course you're doing the right thing in getting it checked.
Edit to say that asbestos is very common in older properties. It doesn't become a problem until the house is knocked down or built on. My DH had asbestos in his rental flat in the flooring so he had to be careful when he removed tiles to replace them. My friend has a house that she lived in for years and when she had a big extension, builders discovered asbestos in the roof and walls which had to be dealt with by securing the asbestos into small bags to dispose of. She never had a problem with it before.

Thank you. I don't know whether I should tell him now or wait until the surveyor has been and I know the findings. Oh God. I feel so sick and scared 😭

You should tell him. A trouble shared and all that. He may be able to reassure you - it's not your fault anyway is it, I don't understand really why you are so worried about telling him?

Thanks. I'll wait til the kids are asleep and tell him. He's a v nervous person and unlikely to take this well. He overthinks so that will be two of us. I am the strong one and feel like I am falling apart (sorry for sounding so dramatic)

It really isn't something to get so distressed about. It is not dangerous if it is left alone. Nothing can happen unless it is drilles, sawn etc and even then the risk is nothing like you seem to be imagining.

Honestly OP you are catastrophising about this. Of course I would never downplay the seriousness of asbestos exposure but the real risk is in those who have worked in the manufacture or demolition of house/buildings where asbestos is used. Even so, there is no certainty that everyone who has been exposed to asbestos will become ill.
I would try to focus on the facts and not your feelings about this - you'll drive yourself crackers! The builders/asbestos company will be able to get back to you and safely remove it for you.

It has been left alone but the cavity was open into our room 😭 I am just thinking air pushing in from outside could have pushed particles into the air in our room and then around the house. Of course, I have been googling too - and that's never good.

Air cant push the particles unless it is damaged. You are really worrying over nothing here. To put it into context the building I work in has over 50 areas that have asbestos. It isn't a worry as we know not to drill etc into any if it. Many schools will have loads of areas of asbestos. It really is everywhere.

They may not recommend removal if it is not damaged, they generally don't. At best they may encapsulate it but it is actually more risky to remove than it is to leave and do nothing in most cases.

Yes, I know it's everywhere. What you are saying helps somewhat, so thank you. I am not sure if it is damaged and that's the problem. The fact that it's just been sitting there with potential to easily get out if damaged (and that's the unknown) is a major worry. I am normally v calm about things and act on facts but this has me on a different level altogether.

Thanks both. Your sensible comments have helped me somewhat. My usual head says stop, you have a plan and are getting help/putting structure around this, but my PMT/PM head is scaring the living daylights out of me prompted by things I have read online.

Even if it is damaged and there is some floating around your air vents it won't be such a huge amount that it us anything to worry about. Asbestos is found at low levels in the air anyway. It's not a case of asbestos automatically being an issue. Even people who worked either and manufactured it for 6ears didn't all go on to have health issues.

So, the asbestos surveyor was out today and surprised to see a white stone inside the cavity between the external and internal grilles. My builder confirmed that was his area of concern too. Fibres have been taken from around it for sampling but these are not expected to be of concern as the stone appears to be intact.
Thanks for your comments 🙏