Will I have any long-term health effects from breathing asbestos smoke or dust?

Most dust-induced eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation does not result in long-term health effects. Long-term health effects caused by dust generally occur only after very long periods of exposure (for example, after years of working in a dusty workplace).

However, asthma and persistent asthma-like symptoms (wheezing, difficulty breathing) are occasionally caused by exposure to high levels of irritants. Chronic cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath can also occasionally occur. If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor.