Asbestos exposure

Frangelico

One year ago, August 2008, when my floor carpet was removed, the old, original, dark tiles were exposed. New porcelain tiles were placed on top of the old tiles. A small part (the closet area) of my whole floor was left unfinished. I didn't bother about it thinking that would be taken care of later on.

This month, August 2009, another renovator will be re-doing my bathroom. He noticed the closet area--the unfinished floor part where the old dark floor tiles are exposed. He told me the tiles were made with asbestos. I panicked and became anxious until now.

My anxiety escalates every day as I ponder upon my "What ifs?" What if the renovator broke, sanded, scratched, etc. the old asbestos tiles? I was aware of the presence of dust underneath the carpet when it was stripped. The dusts were most likely dirt particles that have accumulated through time.

During the renovation period, August 15 to August 26, 2008, I went home at each end of the day to see the exposed old tiles. I even swept and wiped them with moist cloth to clean up the areas. I knew then that the dust/dirt all over was from the new construction materials like grout, ceramic powders, etc.

Now I am very scared about having inhaled asbestos particles or fibers!
I have lived a healthy life. My regular chest X-ray last year was okay. My blood pressure is well-managed; annual cardiology test OK; colonoscopy, OK.

I intend to see my primary doctor as soon as possible about my concern with asbestos exposure. It's the psychological torture that is bothering me right now. What are the possibilities that I might have inhaled asbestos particles?

Thank you very much.