[Robertheard]

I had to seal up a makeshift window in my basement. I have a 1950's house and the basement is cinderblock. The cinderblock is 12x8x16.
I had to cut out the cinderblock because of the poor patch work. I cut along the original mortar line with a saw ,took out the two blocks and reinstalled new ones.
My concern is that I have read that mortar made before the 80's usually had asbestos mix in it. I did have a hi volume fan in the basement acting as a exhaust vent. There wasn't really much dust laying around but ended up wiping everything down with a wet sponge and this time went out and bought a overallsuit with a hat and a asbestos approved mask.
Any help would be great, hopefully good news.
Thank You
Rob

[Fr_Chuck]

It is the "dust" in the air, and to be honest it is over now, so there is nothing you can do about it at this point.

[hkstroud]

I have read that mortar made before the 80's usually had asbestos mix in it.

Never heard that before. Where did you read that. Anyone else ever heard that. In 1950 most motor would have been mixed on site, cement, lime and sand.

[smearcase]

I have never heard about it until now, but there are a lot of references to it on goog:

Brick and Block Mortar - Asbestos: Common Products - Asbestos.net

[21boat]

It is unsurprising, then, that brick layers and those in the masonry trades are among those at highest risk for developing asbestos-related diseases

I've been a mason since 1976 and this is the first I heard of this. I do remember that years later cutting masonry block creates silica dust and its dangerous to breath.

Personally don't know of a mason that has asbestos. My dad has it from building fiberglass boats for Trojan Boat Company.

Not to make light of it but for 30 years plus in rehab I never had a mold situation health wise from damp moldy basements. Only once did I hear co worker in the trades get sick form a mold spore.