Laertes asked:


I recently helped move three air conditioners out of the basement of an old firestation now used as a warehouse. While I was working I noticed a white powder underfoot on the stairs leading down to the basement, sometimes an inch or two thick, and when I lifted the air conditioner a white powder that had settled on them got all over my hands, coat, and pants, smearing them a chalky white. However the dust didn’t feel airborn, nothing got on any part of me that didn’t directly touch an airconditioner, I had no trouble breathing, nor did I feel like I was inhaling anything. In total I was handling these air conditioners and in the basement/on the steps for only a few minutes, less than ten. Immediately afterward I brushed what I could off my clothing though they were still dusty, washed my hands and when I was able to get home about eight hours later I changed my clothing and took a shower. Could it have been asbestos and if so does my level of exposure pose any risk?