Extreme anxiety over long term ACM joining compound dust exposure
Location: BC, Canada, townhome built in 1978
I recntly purchased my first home, the inside is all original and was in dire need of renovation.
While my real estate agent was aware I was going to take on everything myself that wasn't in violation of strata policy (bonded and licensed contractors for any renovation involving plumbing and electrical) the word asbestos was never mentioned throughout the whole buying process.
Being young and dumb, everything undertaken (as I now know) was done in the worse way possible. It wasn't until I could afford the bathroom remodel, and the contractors requested an asbestos test first, that the understanding started to take place. The drywall joining compound tested positive for 1 - 5% Chrysoltile.
At least 120 self taping screws were put into the walls (about 30 of these into or very close to corners) and about 30 small to medium sized holes were drilled to mount the TV and drywall anchors for various things. Some of these holes were drilled very close to corners. A high power drill was used on a fast setting. No wet methods, no mask, no wiping. All the dust was vacuumed up with a cyclic, course filter non-hepa vacuum that did not get emptied and was used for 6 months after for regular vacuuming. The vacuum eventually got emptied into the household garbage with the debris just sitting on top for about a day until it got taken out.
While I understand as terrible as it was drilling the holes without PPE, I can accept the fact that these would be considered infrequent exposure that would not cause a significant risk increase for asbestos related diseases. What worries me is the cleanup method. As the vacuum was continuously used after for regular cleaning, im worried that all the asbestos fibers extracted from drilling are now spead all over the home from the vacuum. A home that has been lived in for half a year afterwards. Several other things were done that likely disturbed the JC but I feel the drilling was the worst.
In the past month I have spiraled into extreme anxiety over this and it has taken over my life. I have read everything the internet has to offer on the topic yet I cannot draw a conclusion for how severe my particular situation would be. Ive heard "Chrysoltile dust doesnt scare me any more then regular dust", start to feel reassured, then proceed to watch a news clip of a family who had to throw out everything they had and move out for a month because the house was still contaminated after being professionally cleaned, all because someone drilled a single 2 inch hole into the wall.
What is supposed to be a happy time in my life has been turned upside down. Everytime I enter my home I feel like im compounding my risk factor. I cant help but feel like the asbestos related diseases that result from non-occupational exposure are from situations just like these. Im scared to even vacuum my place as I feel like if I dont buy an H-class level vacuum I will just make it worse.
Any professional insight on the severity of my situation would be massively appreciated. I guess my biggest question is would this amount of disturbance fail a TEM test? Also some insight on if TEM testing, more accurate lab analysis (1 - 5% seems like a huge range) or H-class vacuums are the right move here.
Thank you.