The Householders Guide To Asbestos Safety

This guide is designed to assist householders in dealing with asbestos in the home. Before attempting to remove any asbestos product you are advised to read this page, and carefully follow the advice given.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral of which there are three main types of fibres

These are:

• Chrysotile (white)
• Amosite (brown)
• Crocidolite (blue)

Asbestos products are only dangerous when damaged or worn because they can release dust into the air. Asbestos dust is made up of tiny fibres which, if breathed in, are harmful and can cause eventual damage to the lungs, even many years after the first exposure.

The level of exposure at which asbestos fibres cause ill health is not known, what is known is that the more asbestos dust a person is exposed to, the greater the risk. It is therefore essential to keep the release of asbestos to a minimum. Remember the dust is harmful so asbestos products should always be handled carefully.

Where might I find Asbestos?

Asbestos is used in a multitude of materials that can be found in and around many homes.

Remember ! Asbestos is always there for a purpose. It is used both to provide heat resistance (as behind gas fires) or provide rigidity (as in asbestos cement garage roofs), and if removed it should always be replaced by a suitable non-asbestos product.

Asbestos Cement

One of the most common uses of asbestos in the home is in asbestos cement products. These have the appearance of a hard grey material that is produced either as sheets or mouldings. It is commonly used in the construction of garages, sheds, soffit boards, roof tiles, fire surrounds, eaves, spouts, drainpipes, flue pipes and water systems.

You do not require a 'licence' to handle products containing asbestos cement.

Asbestos Insulation Board

This is used for fire protection, heat insulation and as ceiling tiles. Asbestos insulation is used in some warm air heating systems and also for lining cupboards which house the central heating unit. Certain storage heaters may also contain asbestos material. There are several modern substitutes which are now used as an alternative to asbestos boarding.

Asbestos Pipe and Boiler Lagging

This type of lagging is unlikely to be found in modern houses but may be found in flats or older houses.

Sprayed Asbestos

This may be found in a small number of steel framed houses built before the mid 1970's and is used for protecting the structural steelworks and for insulation purposes.

Work which will disturb insulation board, lagging or sprayed asbestos must be carried out by licenced asbestos contractors.

Other Building Products

Some roof felts, textured plaster - 'Artex', paints, floor tiles, wall plugging compounds and specialists adhesives contain asbestos.

Domestic Equipment

Asbestos is commonly used in oven door seals, ironing boards and oven gloves. It may also be found in fire blankets and electric heaters.

No attempt should be made to dismantle gas or electric appliances. Your local gas or electrical supplier may be able to give you advice on whether a particular system contains any asbestos.

Vehicles

Some vehicle brake shoes or pads contain asbestos. When carrying out work on the braking system try to avoid breathing the dust or if possible wear a suitable mask. Do not under any circumstances use an air hose to clear the dust.

Identification of Asbestos in Materials

Identification is not easy, as you cannot tell if a particular material contains asbestos by looking at it with the naked eye. The colour of the material does not indicate the type of asbestos that may be present. The ONLY way to be certain if a product does contain asbestos is for a reputable laboratory to analyse it.

If I Find Asbestos What Should I Do?

If asbestos is found in the home, look for signs of damage or dust being released by the material.

If any asbestos found is in good condition and not worn or damaged, it can be left in place. Added protection can be given by painting with emulsion paint, but remember to use an alkali resistant primer or coating for asbestos cement products.

IMPORTANT! - DO NOT SAW, DRILL, BREAK, SCRAPE, BRUSH, OR SCREW ANY ASBESTOS SHEETING.

If the asbestos is damaged or giving off dust it should be carefully removed. Large amounts should only removed by a specialist contractor. Work on sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulation board should also be left to the specialists. Details of licensed asbestos removal companies can be found in the 'Yellow Pages' under 'asbestos removal'

REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS

Removal of small amounts of asbestos cement can be carried out safely if the following guidelines are followed:

• Wear a dust mask approved for asbestos obtained from safety equipment suppliers.
• Wear a disposable overall
• Keep other people away from the work area.
• Spread a plastic sheet under the working area to collect dust.
• Remember to keep the release of asbestos dust to a minimum by wetting the material (providing there is no contact with electricity).
• Remove whole sheets or components; do not break them up. Clean up settled dust with a damp cloth and seal in a plastic bag whilst damp.
• Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner as fine asbestos dust will pass through the filter (industrial cleaners suitable for asbestos can be hired).
• Wash well afterwards.
• To dispose of small quantities of dusty or loose asbestos waste, dampen it to stop escaping and seal it in a strong plastic bag marked ASBESTOS.
• Oven gloves, simmering pads and similar small items should also be sealed in suitable plastic bag as soon as they start to show signs of wear.
• Large asbestos cement sheets should not be broken up but should be wrapped in polythene sheeting and marked ASBESTOS.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PUT WASTE ASBESTOS IN YOUR DUSTBIN OR REFUSE CHUTE.

Disposal of Asbestos

Small Amounts from repairs carried out by the householder, i.e. up to 4 sheets or bags. Take to the Poplars Household Waste site near Cannock (from the A5, top of the hill past Sainsbury's) Please report to the attendant before unloading. Disposal is free of charge.

Other amounts from large repairs or demolition either by taking them, by prior arrangement to a licensed site - the only one in Tamworth is Briers and Son (01827 62668) in Glascote (they will quote prices on request) - or by hiring a skip from a skip-hire company licensed to handle asbestos.