Respirator, spray booth with fans and good venting are a must. But then the XF series (Alkohol) based Tamiya paints are still the easiest to handle and very consistent in how much thinner (X20A) they need etc.

The other "big" alternative, Revell Aqua are "works, works not, works somewhat" from one color to another. Sad since they are easy to get and brush nicely. But getting the "right mix" to airbrush is a PITA. When they work (Their RAL6014 does) they are even better than Tamiya.

The Model Color (Brush equivalent to Model Color) is nice but it does not "bite" well even when the model is primed (Tamiya primer). Not sure if the Model Air is better

Lots of advice and suggestions...!
To go back to your specific questions, Tamiya paints, if thinned correctly with their thinner to a milk like consistency, shouldn't need any additional retarder. Problems can arise with a kind of grainy texture as a result of the paint drying in mid-air, normally only when people have attempted to use straight Isopropyl alcohol as a thinner.

Cleaning the airbrush - I'd suggest using Vallejo's airbrush cleaner, it seems to me to be relatively low-odour and will certainly work. You can probably reduce the amount you use and thus expense, by also using water first, then finishing off with the a/b cleaner.

As others have said, Vallejo would be a much lower odour choice than the Tamiya, and I and others have found Model Air to be fine and easy to use provided you mix in about 1 drop of retarder to every three drops of paint. I use Liquitex, though probably any make will do. If you don't add the retarder you may well find the paint continually dries on the nozzle, blocking it and causing spattering and bubbles. I literally add the retarder in the cup and swizzle it into the paint with a small stiff hog hair brush, I don't bother mixing it up separately in another container.

One thing no-one has addressed is how you might deal with priming, and I don't have any experience of using anything other than automotive primer which is obviously out of the question for you. That might be where Tamiya paints have an advantage as I think Vallejo won't take well to being sprayed on to raw plastic - however, they do make their own primer, which may well be a solution. Anyone?

Vallejo also do water based acrylic weathering products so it is possible to avoid all the oil / enamel stuff when weathering as well.

Whatever you do, as others have said, always wear a proper mask, and preferably do it in a well ventilated space, like in a garage with the door open.

Hi jjeffries,

I have a very good friend, ex-Canadian navy who suffers from the same condition due to contact with asbestos
on our ships, in his service career. He lost a lung to this condition.

But he modelers avidly and airbrushes constantly and has been
doing it for over 15 years now...since the surgery.
He uses a respirator and good ventilation, He models and paints without incident.

So do not get discouraged in any way, just take the precautions and enjoy many years of modeling!

Cheers,
Joe