# Tearing out the ceiling, danger of illness?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearing-out-the-ceiling-danger-of-illness/497750>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 27, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearing-out-the-ceiling-danger-of-illness/497750 "2009-05-27T00:10:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dflower/32/3270_2.png) [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearing-out-the-ceiling-danger-of-illness/497750/1 "2009-05-27T00:10:13Z")

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Oh Dear! The termites have invaded the shack that passes for my work place. My office is going to be a hard hat area very soon.

It is an old wooden building, and we have had stray cats in the attic and mice. Why we have both is a question for the cats I guess.

Now that we must have repairs I fear any and all air borne illness. From termites, mouse droppings, cat . . . whatever. Any dangers I should be aware of? If they tear out the ceiling and kill the termites should I wear a mask?

I not only worrry about my co workers and myself but Mr. dflower is immuno suppressed. I can’t risk letting him get any kind of infection that I might bring home.

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**Author:** ![Fastidiots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fastidiots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fastidiots)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearing-out-the-ceiling-danger-of-illness/497750/2 "2009-05-27T00:42:45Z")

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I wouldn’t be at all worried about any amount of dust, termite or otherwise. I’d be cautious about cat shit if you’re pregnant à la [Toxoplasma gondii](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2637/if-cat-poop-is-so-toxic-to-pregnant-women-why-arent-there-more-birth-defects). I would suggest you won’t be in danger of contracting anything you’d bring home to your husband. Though if I were your husband I wouldn’t be dropping in at work to give you lunch, as you know those who are immunodeficient can wilt at the sight of a booger.

This advice on the back of working as a handyman in all manners of decrepit buildings. If you want to be cautious, wear a mask and change before you get home.

IANA-especially-qualified-individual.

IANAEQI.

OH! Ask about asbestos!

©!

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearing-out-the-ceiling-danger-of-illness/497750/3 "2009-05-27T01:11:36Z")

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[Hantavirus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hantavirus).

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**Author:** ![dflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dflower/32/3270_2.png) [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearing-out-the-ceiling-danger-of-illness/497750/4 "2009-05-28T15:14:59Z")

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Thanks  
I did wear a mask - the only one if office that did.  
Now I have been given 2 days off, along with the other secretary while they work on this.  
I hope the building does not fall down!

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearing-out-the-ceiling-danger-of-illness/497750/5 "2009-05-28T19:35:32Z")

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[Asbestos](http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asbestos.html).