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General asbestos information
Asbestos fibres are strong and resistant to heat. They have been used in a wide range of building materials frequently as fireproofing. Houses built after 1990 are unlikely to contain asbestos anywhere in the building.
Asbestos materials can release fibres into the air due to the effects of age or due to abrasion. If very high levels of fibres are breathed in, there is a risk of lung diseases including cancer.
The most commonly used asbestos material is asbestos cement. This may be used as corrugated sheets for roofing and flat sheets for wall boarding. Avoid disturbing or damaging asbestos materials which are in good condition.
Extreme care must be taken when asbestos materials are removed. Work is best carried out by a licensed contractor. Asbestos cement materials can be disposed of locally at special waste disposal sites. Covered skips can be obtained from licensed companies for the safe collection of asbestos cement material.
Homeowners are responsible for any asbestos in their homes. If you know that you have asbestos in your home and are planning some home improvements or maintenance, you must inform builders, contractors etc. before they start work.
When is asbestos a problem?
Asbestos is dangerous when fibres are released. Even minor damage can produce many fibres e.g. drilling a hole to hang a picture. Damage can also be done by wall scrapers, or rubbing down asbestos panels or artex with sandpaper. Cutting asbestos with electrical tools and smashing asbestos products with a hammer are extremely dangerous and must be avoided at all costs.
Where can asbestos be found?
There can be a wide variety of products in the home that contain asbestos.
Asbestos cement - Flat or corrugated sheets can be found on garage roofs; shed walls and roofs; moulded asbestos cement is used for cold water tanks, external guttering and pipes, decking and roof tiles, lining under eaves and flue pipes.
Asbestos insulating board - Used for fire protection, heating insulation, ceiling tiles and as a building board. All insulating board made in the UK is now asbestos-free.
Other building materials - Some plastic floor tiles, cushion flooring, roofing felts, textured plasters such as artex and paints contain asbestos.
Warm air heating systems - Asbestos insulation was used in some systems and for lining cupboards housing the heating unit.
Asbestos lagging - Used for insulation pipes and boilers. It is unlikely to be found in modern houses, but was sometimes used in flats or older houses. A preliminary inspection for asbestos should be made before repair or removal of older central heating systems.
Domestic Equipment - Asbestos was used in some oven gloves and fire blankets. Ovens, ironing boards and heaters may have asbestos components.
Sprayed Asbestos - Used for protecting structural steelwork and for insulation. It may be found in a small number of steel framed houses built before the mid 1970’s.
What should you do?
If the asbestos is in good condition, not likely to be damaged and not likely to be worked on leave it in place, as this is the safest course of action. In good condition asbestos poses minimal risks.
You can paint asbestos materials to prevent any dust from escaping. Use emulsion paint for insulating board, but use an alkali-resistant primer or coating for asbestos cement products.
Do not rub down asbestos material before painting
If the asbestos is in poor condition e.g.
- The surface is damaged/frayed/scratched
- Surface sealant is peeling/breaking off
- Material is becoming detached from base
- Asbestos dust/debris in immediate surrounding area
YOU NEED TO DECIDE WHETHER TO REPAIR/ RESEAL/ ENCLOSE OR REMOVE IT. IF UNSURE SEEK SPECIALIST ADVICE.
If you have asbestos that has been sprayed; asbestos lagging or insulating boards in your home this must only be removed by a licensed asbestos contractor.
Removal of bonded asbestos sheets:
- Leave material as whole as possible, do not break them up
- Keep material wet whenever possible – wrap in wet sheets
- Take care not to create dust
- Wear a dust mask approved for asbestos (CE marked to EN149 with FFP2) and disposable overalls and dispose of them with the asbestos waste. Ordinary dust marks simply will not do and these asbestos specialist masks have to be used
- Keep other people away from the work area
- Put asbestos in heavy duty polythene bag and put in a second bag labelling it "asbestos"
- Clear up asbestos dust using a dustless method e.g. type 17 vacuum cleaner. Do not use brooms or brushes; you can use damp clothes and dispose of them with asbestos waste
Do Not
- Break up large pieces of asbestos materials
- use power tools
- re-use disposable masks or clothing, or take protective clothing home to wash
- allow waste to accumulate – clean as you go.
Asbestos materials are treated as special waste and therefore it must not be disposed of in the normal household waste.
Asbestos can be disposed of at the Great Blakenham landfill site. There is a charge for disposal. Please telephone before visiting the site: 01473 832861.
Asbestos in the workplace
Asbestos found in places of work, will be subject to Health and Safety at Work legislation, including a new duty to manage asbestos, under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006.
As the owner, occupier or manager of a non-domestic premises that may contain asbestos, you will have a legal duty to either
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