Asbestos in the Home
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos fibres are strong and resistant to heat and chemicals. This has led to their use in a wide range of building materials and products, often as fireproofing. Properties built since the mid-1980’s are very unlikely to contain asbestos in the fabric of the building. Properties built after 1990 are extremely unlikely to contain asbestos anywhere in the building. Asbestos cement has been widely used as a cladding material and can still be found in garages and sheds.
Health risks
When asbestos materials age or become damaged they can release fibres into the air. These can be breathed deep into the lung where they may stay for a long time, causing possible damage. When very high levels of these fibres are breathed in there is a risk of lung diseases, including cancer.
People who have worked with asbestos for many years as part of their job or have washed the dusty clothing of those who worked with asbestos are most likely to be affected. Workplace regulations now protect such people.
There is very low level of fibres in the air everywhere because asbestos has been used widely. Exposure to this low level of fibres is unlikely to harm people’s health.
Levels of fibre may be higher in buildings containing asbestos materials, especially where the materials are damaged. It is very unlikely that the levels of asbestos fibres found in buildings will be harmful, but if you have damaged asbestos materials in your home you should seek advice on appropriate action to take.
High, short-term exposures to asbestos fibres can occur during DIY work. For this reason, try not to raise dust when working with materials which might contain asbestos, and avoid sanding or drilling.
People who have worked with asbestos for many years as part of their job or have washed the dusty clothing of those who worked with asbestos are most likely to be affected. Workplace regulations now protect such people.
There is very low level of fibres in the air everywhere because asbestos has been used widely. Exposure to this low level of fibres is unlikely to harm people’s health.
Levels of fibre may be higher in buildings containing asbestos materials, especially where the materials are damaged. It is very unlikely that the levels of asbestos fibres found in buildings will be harmful, but if you have damaged asbestos materials in your home you should seek advice on appropriate action to take.
High, short-term exposures to asbestos fibres can occur during DIY work. For this reason, try not to raise dust when working with materials which might contain asbestos, and avoid sanding or drilling.
Where may asbestos be found?
Building materials containing asbestos were widely used from 1930 to around 1980, particularly from the 1960s onwards. So, houses and flats built or refurbished at this time may contain asbestos materials.
Asbestos has also been used in some heat-resistant household products, such as oven gloves and ironing boards. It has also been used for thermal insulation of pipes and boilers.
Insulating board has been used for fire protection, heat and sound insulation and is found in materials such as ducts, infill panels, ceiling tiles, wall lining, bath panels and partitions. It is unlikely to be found in buildings constructed after 1982.
Sprayed asbestos coatings were used for fire protection of structural steel and are commonly found in system-built flats during the 1960s.
Asbestos-cement is the most widely used asbestos material. It is found in many types of buildings as profiled sheets for roofing and wall-cladding, in bath panels and soffit boards, fire surrounds, flue pipes, cold water tanks and as roofing tiles and slates. It has been commonly used as roofing and cladding for garages and sheds and also in guttering and drain pipes. Asbestos-cement products are unlikely to release high levels of fibres because of the way they are made, unless they are subject to extreme abrasion.
Asbestos has been used in a variety of other building materials, for example, in decorative coatings such as textured paints and plasters. Plastic floor tiles, cushion flooring, roofing felts, tapes, ropes, felts and blankets can also contain asbestos.
Asbestos has also been used in some heat-resistant household products, such as oven gloves and ironing boards. It has also been used for thermal insulation of pipes and boilers.
Insulating board has been used for fire protection, heat and sound insulation and is found in materials such as ducts, infill panels, ceiling tiles, wall lining, bath panels and partitions. It is unlikely to be found in buildings constructed after 1982.
Sprayed asbestos coatings were used for fire protection of structural steel and are commonly found in system-built flats during the 1960s.
Asbestos-cement is the most widely used asbestos material. It is found in many types of buildings as profiled sheets for roofing and wall-cladding, in bath panels and soffit boards, fire surrounds, flue pipes, cold water tanks and as roofing tiles and slates. It has been commonly used as roofing and cladding for garages and sheds and also in guttering and drain pipes. Asbestos-cement products are unlikely to release high levels of fibres because of the way they are made, unless they are subject to extreme abrasion.
Asbestos has been used in a variety of other building materials, for example, in decorative coatings such as textured paints and plasters. Plastic floor tiles, cushion flooring, roofing felts, tapes, ropes, felts and blankets can also contain asbestos.
What to do with asbestos
Asbestos material in good condition that cannot readily be damaged are often best left where they are because removal can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air for some time.
Asbestos materials that are slightly damaged can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing the material.
Asbestos materials that are badly damaged or deteriorating can release dust and should be removed. Some asbestos materials (sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards) must always be removed by contractors with a special licence. Your local Environmental Health Officer should be able to provide advice on asbestos removal and licensed contractors.
Asbestos materials that are slightly damaged can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing the material.
Asbestos materials that are badly damaged or deteriorating can release dust and should be removed. Some asbestos materials (sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards) must always be removed by contractors with a special licence. Your local Environmental Health Officer should be able to provide advice on asbestos removal and licensed contractors.
How should I dispose of asbestos?
- Wet small amounts of asbestos waste and put it in a strong plastic bag – seal this tightly and clearly mark it ASBESTOS
- Do not break up large asbestos – cement – sheets – they do not need to be sealed in bags but should be wrapped in polythene or similar sheeting and disposed of as asbestos waste
- Do not put asbestos in with your domestic waste – SEEK ADVICE from your local council about how to dispose of your asbestos waste.
Please click on the link below to the Asbestos Contractor Removal Association, which may provide more useful information about asbestos:
www.arca.org.uk
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