Help worried about asbestos in fireplace!

springtide

We have been knocking out our dated (I think 1980s) fireplace to replace it and have been chipping away with lots of dust for the last couple of days and it has just occured to me that some fire cement and surrounds can contain asbestos. I am now really worried as the whole family has breathed in this dust over the last couple of days. Also we are part way through the job and I don't know what to do.

We have had to break up the surround and chip away the cement under the hearth in order to fit the new one (which we were going to do tomorrow). We have had a few people look at it (chimney sweep, builder etc) and noone mentioned that it might not be safe, but now I have got myself into a right state!

Does anyone have any info on this and know how dangerous this work could be? I can't help feeling that loads of people must knock out fireplaces without thinking about it, but maybe I'm being a bit naive.....

Thanks so much.

uncle_buck_3

Well there's not a lot you can do about it now! ...even if it was harmful….so forget about it....what you don't know won't harm you!

If you have more to knock out just spray it with water as you go & wear a mask.

tyllwyd

I had a bit of a search around, and I didn't see fire surrounds mentioned as a potential problem, so hopefully it isn't an issue. Most councils seem to have information like this http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/environmentalprotection/AsbestosintheHome.htm
which doesn't say anything about fireplaces, so they can't regard it as a significant danger. You could always ring your local council to see what they say.

plumb1_2

You should be ok, as most old fireplaces are built with mortor( sand and lime)
If it is a wooden surround with a panel inside, sometimes these were made with asbestos, as long as you dont break/snap it you will be ok.
Just doulbe bag it, and tape it up, then take to the tip.

rgs1

Hi ive been fitting fireplaces for over 20 years and have never come across much asbestos except for the little bit of asbestos rope used to seal the doors of roomheaters and between the fireframe and fireback in open fire fireplaces . This rpe has been changed to a subsitute glass fibre product over the last lot of years so you will hardly ever come accross it and if you did you would have to physically break the rope to dust and breathe this dust in to be of even a negliable risk. However taking out old fireplaces is a messy and dusty job and you may breathe in tother toxic fumes eg from the suit and morter mixing giving of a slight amonia type gas and therefore it would be advisable to have the room well ventilated and wear dust masks

Nobleck

Hi , if you are really worried, you should remove a sample of the suspected asbestos and place it in a plastic airtight bag. Then you can send it away for inspection (an absestos removals company) should be able to advise you better. (Also this method is fairly costly).