Asbestos on garden wall copings

AliceW

We have a very low front garden wall that was probably built in the late 1960s. The cement between the bricks was crumbling and the wall starting to become very insecure. When my husband took off the loose copings he discovered that they are made from an outer covering of asbestos filled with concrete. (They are a curved shape) The outer asbestos covering fell away on 3 of them, but the 4th one still has the heavy concrete attached and there seems no way to get it off, so that one is very heavy.
Does anyone have any advice on how we can dispose of these 3 lengths of asbestos casing along with the one with concrete still attached?
We don't have a car so can't easily take them to the council tip (and even if we could I'm not sure they'd take the one with the concrete still attached--- We'd also have to wear disposable overalls, gloves and masks and load our own stuff into the container on the site which all seems a bit daunting )
They are each about 4' long so there isn't a huge amount.
Has anyone else had this problem? I'm worried that we'll have to call in a specialist firm and it will cost a lot.

Furts

I think my local recycling centre takes domestic asbestos waste. Typically this would be corrugated roof panels, soffits and the like. I suggest you ask a neighbour to take your material to your nearest recycling point.

Ask in advance about your heavy piece. Ultimately, it would be your decision, but you might choose to put this piece in the hardcore skip if the recycling staff do not want it in with the asbestos material.

glasgowdan

Dig a hole and bury them

unforeseen

Can your husband really identify asbestos by sight?

Biggles

Break them up (carefully) and take them to the tip. They aren't asbestos.

snowcat75

chrysotile asbestos also known as white is relatively harmless, however there are certain people and I have been to the funeral of one that have handled white in small quantities and can develop asbestoses.

Firstly DO NOT BURY, this is firstly illegal and store up future problems if discovered.

You do not need to get a contractor in to deal with white, but you will want a pair of disposable overalls a proper mask with the appropate EN no.s (not a mickey mouse one from a diy shop) and some MAPP type non lined gloves.

The asbestos should be removed wet so damp it down with a garden hose or even better a water mixture with PVA glue to prevent dust.

Once removed put it into some heavy duty plastic sacks and seal with cable ties. Then bag the PPE and dispose.

The waste should be collected through a proper carrier and you MUST get a DOC certificate. Keep it some ware safe.

I have only ever filed skips up but there are licensed carriers that will collect small amounts.

snowcat75

Biggles wrote: »

Break them up (carefully) and take them to the tip. They aren't asbestos.

How do you know there not? If they are this is terrible advice.

unforeseen

The waste doesn't need to be collected by a 'proper' carrier. Most councils have one tip that will accept asbestos from residents providing it is double bagged etc. Paperwork can normally be filled out at site

Gloomendoom

There is a lot of misinformation with regard to asbestos.

Asbestos Myths

The HSE have some helpful task sheets explaining how asbestos should be dealt with...

Asbestos essentials

kirtsypoos

snowcat75 wrote: »

You do not need to get a contractor in to deal with white

Actually this is terrible advice - whether or not you need a licensed contractor has nothing to do with the asbestos type, and everything to do with material type. Cement containing asbestos has been found to contain amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue) fibres, but is still non licensed as it is a bound matrix. Equally, insulating board has been known to contain only Chrysotile (white) but is still licensed work as it is a friable product. Always have testing done before dealing with potential asbestos containing materials yourself.

It is impossible to accurately identify asbestos on sight, a polarising light microscope is used, along with RI liquids. Your local council should be able to advise you, and if not a local asbestos company may be able to help.

teneighty

Oh dear there are some scare stories coming out over a few bits of suspected asbestos cement in someones garden.

What is it about the "A" word that induces mass panic. Talk of going to someones funeral who had asbestosis and mentioning Crocidolite...Jeez. Get a grip people.

It has risks yes, but the vast majority of what any householder will come into contact with will be Chrysotile (White) asbestos and if dealt with correctly is very low risk. The stories of asbestosis, mesothelioma etc. usually only strike people who came into contact with significant quantities of the more aggressive types and crucially they were usually smokers as well. Recent research is suggesting that the original decision to ban asbestos were based on flawed studies that failed to take into account that the workers dying were also very heavy smokers.