Asbestos exposure from cutting holes into walls, for wall plates?

Asbestos notwithstanding, cutting into drywall kicks up very fine drywall dust, which is not the best thing in the world for you to be breathing. According to the link below, asbestos can still be found in new applications, though for the most part, it's not used in drywall anymore. Wear a particle mask when you're cutting into drywall, or any other material that produces dust.