My Husband Recently Worked For The Past Four Months In

Posted on Fri, 12 Jul 2019

Question: My husband recently worked for the past four months in a warehouse where there was lots of dust and the floors very dirty. When some other temps brought up the concerns it was chemical and or asbestos their assignments terminated which makes us believe the concerns were valid. My concern now is should my husband be tested or worried if he swept or breathed the dust during his temporary employment? My other worry is should I and my children be worried? I know his jacket which is always hanging in the coat rack in the family room dropped on the floor at work and my small son would play with him when he came home from work. If my husband reclines his feet at times are near my sons face if he was laying on the coach watching TV.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry much about family's health.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
First of all no need to worry much for your husband's or family's health.
As such 4 months exposure is not considered as lethal or chronic.
Usually exposure of 1 year and more is more harmful.
So no need to worry for your husband's health as well as sons and your health.
Please let me know
1. Does your husband has coughing or breathing difficulty?
2. Does your husband smoke?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get done chest x ray and PFT of your husband.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you can get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) of your husband.
If both these are normal then no need to worry.
And as I said earlier, no need to worry for your children.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

NO he has no coughing or anything but I hear you wouldn't notice any effects right away. Should he get a chest xray? Would this bee too soon. I have good insurance so that is not an issue. We are trying to make sure all the clothing he wore has already been washed or now thrown out. Should we worry he carried stuff on his clothing and it could be in the house even a small amount? My son crawls around and like I said would play with my husband when he came home from work.