Risk of Asbestos Ceiling Cracks

Fogle1980

Hi, a couple of bedrooms in my house with popcorn artex ceilings have long straight cracks on one side of the room, along the ceiling edge where the ceiling meets the top of the wall. I’m not too concerned about what’s caused the cracks, most probably as they are on an outer wall where temperatures fluctuate.

What I want to know is what is the REAL risk of asbestos fibres being released and causing potential harm? I know artex is typically 2-4% chrysotile. Am I worrying about nothing or do I need to do something? Some of the cracks look like they could flake off in a few places if disturbed or with time.  I’m hoping to sell the house soon so don’t want to spend money skimming ceiling etc but just wondered if any experts, plasterers or decorators etc could give me some advice on if they’d recommend anything or just leave it. Thanks in advance. 

GDB2222

Not an expert, but why not just fill the cracks and paint over?

Fogle1980

Would be good to get some advice on how to do repair safely if it’s recommended.

Phil4432

Hard to tell without some pictures.  If in doubt, its best to have an asbestos company have a look.

Niv

Fogle1980 said:

Would be good to get some advice on how to do repair safely if it’s recommended.

Artex, just paint it, depending on the size of the cracks, fill first. Obviously remove any loose bits first before painting.

 If you are particularly paranoid you could us something like this - https://shop.stormflame.com/asbestos-encapsulation-coating-225ltr-4509-p.asp?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInduNy9_E9AIVwBCzAB1o2AHOEAQYBSABEgJL2PD_BwE but I would use regular ceiling paint tbh. 

Bigphil1474

The risk with asbestos containing materials is if there are loose fibres.  Big chunks of ACM are less dangerous than small fibres.  Do you know if your artex is an ACM? Not all of it does contain asbestos, but if it's pre 1990's ish, it may well do. If it's older than that then it probably does. Chrysotile is the least risky asbestos type.
An asbestos company may well come out and test it and you'll have 2 real choices if it contains asbestos - remove the ceiling under controlled conditions which is expensive, or encapsulate the ceiling and have to pass the info on about the asbestos to the next owner.
If it was me I'd carefully fill the cracks and paint over - wear an FFP3 face mask, vac up any loose material before starting. Our artex ceiling contained asbestos, but we lived in the property for 17 years before we found out, and it never worried me anyway (I work as a Health and Safety Inspector). Fortunately, it was all removed by the insurers as part of a subsidence claim.

GDB2222

I knew someone who used to work for the council. He’d tip bags of loose asbestos into a big bucket and mix it with water. It was useful stuff. Fireproof and insulation, so they’d slap it on anywhere.  He was covered with asbestos quite frequently. He never developed mesothelioma or asbestosis, and he lived to a good age.

There are really two questions. Could you release some asbestos fibres, and how unlucky would you have to be for one of those fibres to lodge in the wrong place and cause mesothelioma in 25 years time? Whilst it is sensible to take precautions, there’s no point getting too paranoid about it.

Fogle1980

Thanks for the replies. It’s a 70s house so almost certain the artex has ACM. 

Ben1989

Can you confirm with certainty that they contain asbestos? We had artex ceilings and walls all over our house so we got a company in to check. Cost no more than £130 to test it all. You could be worrying over nothing.