Asbestos- Turning a blind eye?

Hintza

mighty_mondo wrote: »

I am a Health & Safety advisor so I am well aware of the various types and risks posed but I wont bore you or go into details, Im just glad you are not diy'ing it - i dread to think how many people are exposing themselves to asbestos and contaminating their home and exposing all their family including their kids!

madness!

What a load of twaddle.

Just search Google for the great asbestos scam and you might actually learn something

stebiz

And here lies the argument. Half say mask up (or not if they are ignorant) and the others say get the 'brigade' in. Personally I'm just glad it is a 'trace' and my house will have the all clear as it has been gutted and had a full report. But asbestos in older properties will be with us for the next 50 years and worth considering when renovating or moving house.

davehills

Asbestos is generally safe to leave where it is, unless it's damaged. It's also safe to dispose of, if undamaged, at the appropriate disposal site, if handled correctly.

The important thing is to not do anything that generates dust; if working with asbestos take precautions to avoid breathing any dust.

If you do wish to remove asbestos sheets it's a very good idea to spray the surface with a weak PVA solution and allow to dry. This will prevent fibres coming off the surface.

Likewise, if you do encounter a pile of dust, soak it through with a lot of water before shovelling carefully into a sealed bag or container. Don't use a vacuum cleaner or brush!!

If it's present in your home and you don't want to remove it, just make sure it's regularly painted. The paint seals the surface meaning no dust is generated. Indeed, our local hospital has asbestos window sills and they are still in place. They are regularly varnished and have warning stickers on them, but the HA don't deem them as a risk if left alone.

Avoid generating or breathing the dust/fibres and there is no danger.

davehills

stebiz wrote: »

Latest stats say that approx 1 in 15,000 die from exposure. Hardly an epidemic but at the same time not a nice way to die either. ?

Almost all of those will be people who worked with the stuff as part of their job.

I haven't heard of any home-owner contracting asbestosis from asbestos in their home.

Yes, it's sensible to get it removed as part of your building works but if it is present in part of your house that you are not having refurbished, I wouldn't lose sleep over it.


EDIT: However, of more concern is possibly the use of leaded gloss paint. If sanding old paintwork be aware that it may well have lead in it, which is a potent neurotoxin!