Asbestos exposure from ironing board

clarissa12

Hi, I’ve just found out that my husband and I have unknowingly been using an ironing board with an asbestos cement plate for the last 13 years. I have contacted a specialist company to dispose of the board but I’m concerned about our exposure to asbestos for such a long period of time. The board had loose fitting covers as we inherited it from a family member. 

Picture of board is attached. 

Any advice would be gratefully received. 

Thank you in advance

stuart45

A lot of people have been exposed to asbestos at some point in their lives without knowing it. I have worked in the building trade for many years and have myself. There's nothing you can do about it now apart from disposal of the board.
The main risk from asbestos is when you break up or drill the boards and release the fibres into the air.

k3lvc

Is this the next PPI opportunity ??

Did you do the ironing between the 1980's and 2010's - you may be due compensation

clarissa12

Picture of said board 

stuart45

It was quite common in the old boards to have an asbestos pad to rest the iron on. 
The company you contacted will probably put your mind at rest. 

Belenus

clarissa12 said:

Hi, I’ve just found out that my husband and I have unknowingly been using an ironing board with an asbestos cement plate for the last 13 years. 

That is shocking........................................Your husband has been ironing.


I doubt if you have anything to worry about as the risk is low but perhaps seek professional advice or talk to your GP.

Good luck.

2bFrank

The company you are dealing with will be able to advise you further, but I think it will be a low risk to be fair.

Remember Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and we breath it in, every day, albeit a very low dose (est. 0.1 fibre per 10,000 litre of air). Its only dangerous it you are breathing in larger amounts than that, which is usually when asbestos has been disturbed and released, the ironing pad looks quite stable, and although some fibres will become loose and free in the air, I dont think it will be a dangerous level.

Sandtree

Belenus said:

clarissa12 said:

Hi, I’ve just found out that my husband and I have unknowingly been using an ironing board with an asbestos cement plate for the last 13 years. 

That is shocking........................................Your husband has been ironing.

He's clearly not going to be risking doing that again!

DRP

clarissa12 said:

Hi, I’ve just found out that my husband and I have unknowingly been using an ironing board with an asbestos cement plate for the last 13 years. I have contacted a specialist company to dispose of the board but I’m concerned about our exposure to asbestos for such a long period of time. The board had loose fitting covers as we inherited it from a family member. 

Picture of board is attached. 

Any advice would be gratefully received. 

Thank you in advance

Our local recycling centre takes this sort of thing, so you may not need to pay anyone. From their website:

Asbestos (cement bonded asbestos only - maximum of 3 unbroken sheets, drainpipe/guttering (max size 6ft x 3ft) double wrapped and sealed. You must call us 24 hours in advance to book your visit

Section62

DRP said:

clarissa12 said:

Hi, I’ve just found out that my husband and I have unknowingly been using an ironing board with an asbestos cement plate for the last 13 years. I have contacted a specialist company to dispose of the board but I’m concerned about our exposure to asbestos for such a long period of time. The board had loose fitting covers as we inherited it from a family member. 

Picture of board is attached. 

Any advice would be gratefully received. 

Thank you in advance

Our local recycling centre takes this sort of thing, so you may not need to pay anyone. From their website:

Asbestos (cement bonded asbestos only - maximum of 3 unbroken sheets, drainpipe/guttering (max size 6ft x 3ft) double wrapped and sealed. You must call us 24 hours in advance to book your visit

The problem with the ironing board is the asbestos cement (if that is what it actually is) will almost certainly need removing from the ironing board before being disposed of using a council's 'free' asbestos cement disposal service.

Removing the panel risks causing damage to it, and the release of fibres, so isn't something people should attempt to do themselves.

DRP

Is that any worse than dismantling a roof or guttering?

It looks like it is just a metal clip from the pic. If so I would be happy to do it (outside & with care).