Asbestos found in bedroom.

m0nfil5

Hi guys and gals,
I hope that you all can help me. While doing some DIY in the house last month, I was stripping wallpaper in a bedroom which hasn't been decorated in about 30 years, and I uncovered something near the windows which I thought was plasterboard. But once I continued to do the rest of the room, I became a bit suspicious of the smell coming from the steam stripper that I was using, as It reminded me of an old Asbestos ironing board that my parents used to have. I decided to stop immediately, and did a quick internet search for pictures, and what I found could be what is called AIB, Asbestos Insulation Board. I called the Housing Association the next day, and a few days later they sent someone around to have a look and take samples. He wouldn't tell us any details. This was nearly 4 weeks ago, and I have called them 3 times to find out what the results of the tests were. They told me that a previous inspection in 2010 found the Asbestos in the house to be a "low risk." I told them that I have unwittingly disturbed some of it, and I wasn't around when the other survey was done, so they need to do something about it PDQ! They insist that there is no danger, but I am not happy about leaving the room with exposed AIB, and I want them to fix this. Obviously, removal will just create dangerous dust. but they could cover it up at least. :mad:

My next step is to complain to someone in charge, but if I get fobbed off again what else can I do? Can anyone advise please?

ruggedtoast

m0nfil5 wrote: »

My next step is to complain to someone in charge, but if I get fobbed off again what else can I do? Can anyone advise please?

I'm not 100% sure what you are asking. Do you want to know how to complain to your landlord? I would write a letter and ask that the work be remedied, though as its you that uncovered it in the first place it may just be easier to wallpaper it over again yourself.

Asbestos is dangerous if it is inhaled via a dust. It is "safe" in some forms if left alone.

If you're not happy living in a house with asbestos I guess you can always move or get permission from the Housing Association to do the work yourself and pay a contractor to remove it.

m0nfil5

Thanks for the response.

I plan to send them a letter, and if they say in writing "Um, yeah, it's safe." or words to that effect, I may well paper over it myself. But actually, I want them to do something about it, regardless of whether I found it. Removal is definitely out! It would create too much dust. And I am not prepared to shell out the big money it would probably cost myself - hence why the HA are trying to avoid the problem, no doubt - Especially as it is not my house.

Moving isn't an option either. Have you seen the cost of private rents lately? Especially in London. They're ridiculous!!

I would just like some advice on what my next step should be, if they just ignore my letter. Any ideas?

Thanks.

sandsni

You could try Environmental Health and see what they say about the level of risk

Kiran

If it is in fact AIB then if is one of the higher risk forms. However if it is an asbestos cement board then the asbestos content is low and is stable unless disturbed. You need confirmation of exactly what it is either from a material test or from someone competent. Depending on what it is will determine the correct course of action.

Kirri

m0nfil5 wrote: »

Thanks for the response.

I plan to send them a letter, and if they say in writing "Um, yeah, it's safe." or words to that effect, I may well paper over it myself. But actually, I want them to do something about it, regardless of whether I found it. Removal is definitely out! It would create too much dust. And I am not prepared to shell out the big money it would probably cost myself - hence why the HA are trying to avoid the problem, no doubt - Especially as it is not my house.

Moving isn't an option either. Have you seen the cost of private rents lately? Especially in London. They're ridiculous!!

I would just like some advice on what my next step should be, if they just ignore my letter. Any ideas?

Thanks.

I've just had some asbestos removed, they seal it all off by building a polythene room within the room with 2 airlock cubicles so the dust can't escape and the guys working in it had 3 changes of clothes and all the debris is double bagged, but it is a major pain so unless you are doing building work that makes it necessary to remove it it's probably not worth it - I've only had it removed in rooms they were doing building work on, the rest is considered 'safe' as it won't be disturbed.. and it is low level asbestos here, 0.5% iirc. The company who did the tests here had the results back within the week - mine was being paid by insurance and as they hadn't got in touch I rang the company direct so you could try that as I presume you've rang the housing assoc only?

The asbestos here was a different type however, it was in the artex as asbestos in artex wasn't banned until 1999 so that type is probably fairly widespread without people knowing about it.

Jamie_Carter

No asbestos is considered safe any more if you disturb it. But if it isn't disturbed, then in some forms it is safe.

As the HA are taking so long, then I would contact Environmental Health to see what they say.

gazter

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

No asbestos is considered safe any more if you disturb it. But if it isn't disturbed, then in some forms it is safe.

As the HA are taking so long, then I would contact Environmental Health to see what they say.

And your local newspaper. They love a good old asbestos story. Add children, and a local housing association and result.

ruggedtoast

m0nfil5 wrote: »

Thanks for the response.

I plan to send them a letter, and if they say in writing "Um, yeah, it's safe." or words to that effect, I may well paper over it myself. But actually, I want them to do something about it, regardless of whether I found it. Removal is definitely out! It would create too much dust. And I am not prepared to shell out the big money it would probably cost myself - hence why the HA are trying to avoid the problem, no doubt - Especially as it is not my house.

Moving isn't an option either. Have you seen the cost of private rents lately? Especially in London. They're ridiculous!!

I would just like some advice on what my next step should be, if they just ignore my letter. Any ideas?

Thanks.

You said in your OP that the housing association insist there is 'no risk', I don't understand what else you are expecting them to do, unless you don't believe them.

You uncovered it so presumably it would be down to you to paper over it again.

If you're unhappy with the investigation your landlord has done then I would get my own contractor in to look at it.

Niv

If this is AIB your next step is not to contact anyone, it is to seal it ASAP. AIB is one of the higher risk products and you have disturbed it. As a short erm solution you can either use spray glue over all exposed surfaces (like carpet adhesive) or paint it. If you paint it, wrap the brush and throw it away.

Once you have made the area safe you can continue with contacting your LL / HA / EH etc.

Long term Removal if devinately not 'out'. If this material is disturbed during normal re-decorating then getting the HA to remove it would be the solution you want to be seeking. Removing AIB will need to be undertaken by licenced contractors and the area will be sealed, they would potentially build an enclosure in the area to prevent dust getting loose and the enclosure area will be critically cleaned before being taken down to ensure there is no residual contamination.

Niv