Should I get any/all of these tested for asbestos?

Eldrax

House built mid-1940's, ex council, new windows in last couple years. These replaced ones council had done in 1985. Had plaster removed from a few windows - dust everywhere. Afterwards someone mentions possibility of asbestos. In the plaster as it was really hard (just looks like gypsum so I had no concerns before it was mentioned). Then there bits of plastic dpc and some bituminous stuff, broken and flaking and falling down from top of windows, mixed in with hessian strands. Also, some cwi almost falling out. Is there possibility of asbestos in any/all of these: plaster, bitumen above window, cwi? Is it advisable to get any or all of these tested for asbestos?
I'll need to clear the stuff from top of windows to make airtight/insulate/plaster again.

Would've attached some photos of plaster and bitumen at top of one window but can't see how...

FreeBear

Any fibres in the plaster (if lime) will be animal hair. So nothing particularly hazardous to your health apart from the dust. I find a spray bottle filled with water and liberally sprayed around in the air help to reduce the amount of dust floating around.

There is a remote possibility that there might be some asbestos in any bitumastic felt, but damping it down and wearing a decent dust mask will significantly reduce any risk. For the small quantities involved, I personally wouldn't bother getting any materials tested.

Lime plaster will be white. Gypsum, a pinky brown colour.

Eldrax

Thanks for your response. No visible fibres, pinky colour with white spots of something - that's the bit that worries me a bit. Some original lime about and the mortar is lime, but looks like council replastered most walls with gypsum.  

Yea, there's not alot of bitumen, just that its flaky/breaking down, so I guess dampening it would help regardless.

Thanks for the spray to reduce dust tip, shall try that. 

aoleks

given the risk, probability and long-term consequences, I think the only rational way forward is to test for asbestos. we've done the same for our artex ceilings and it turns out they do not contain asbestos (1950s ex-council house), but the feeling of knowing for sure is priceless.

the good news is that it costs peanuts and can all be done from home with a kit. for just under £50, you can get a kit that tells you exactly what to send back and within days you get a nice certificate in the email confirming the presence or absence of asbestos.

https://www.asbestos-sampling.com/

EssexExile

Early artex was known to have asbestos in it but nothing the op has mentioned would cause me to bother with testing.

FreeBear

aoleks said: given the risk, probability and long-term consequences,

For the very rare occasions the typical householder will be exposed to asbestos, the risk is virtually negligible. If "once in a lifetime" exposure were to result in an asbestos related illness, it would be 30, 40 years down the line. You'd have a better chance of winning the jackpot on the lottery.

Eldrax

Thanks for replies, I feel somewhat reassured that it's highly unlikely with the materials involved.  I'll think about if worth the cost of testing considering the low risk. 
Not bothered so much about us almost-oldies, moreso our teen, and there's another 9 windows to go yet 😑

Phil4432

Those aren't areas that are likely to contain asbestos as far as I'm aware; have a look at this.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/home.htm

What you can do is get a cheap postal  test done, which will give you an indication of whether there is asbestos present.  https://asbestos-testing.org.uk/

If you are doing major work, or any work where asbestos may be present, its best to get an asbestos survey.  For example, removing AIB for a new heating system.

Also be aware of lead in old paint, usually found on old wood paint.  Fine if not disturbed but causes an issue when sanding.  You can get a cheap test kit on amazon.

GDB2222

FreeBear said:

aoleks said: given the risk, probability and long-term consequences,

For the very rare occasions the typical householder will be exposed to asbestos, the risk is virtually negligible. If "once in a lifetime" exposure were to result in an asbestos related illness, it would be 30, 40 years down the line. You'd have a better chance of winning the jackpot on the lottery.

It says 20-50 years for cancer to develop here:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html#:~:text=Mesotheliomas related to asbestos exposure,risk appears to be lifelong.

So, you'd have to be pretty elderly to discount the asbestos risk on the grounds that you'll die before getting cancer.

Plus, it only takes a single asbestos strand to produce mesothelioma. 

However, although the risk is fairly small in a private home, there are only a few people who win the jackpot on the lottery, whilst 5000 people a year die from asbestos.. 

aoleks

Again, your call…

Just so you know, if there is asbestos in there and you drill in it (or saw or whatever) and it goes in your lungs, you WILL get cancer. Asbestos is not selective and since it’s not a biological organism, your immune system doesn’t do !!!!!!.

Yes, the risk is very low, though “in theory” it’s 50/50: there’s asbestos or there isn’t.

£50 is 3 packs of cigarettes, not really a fortune.

Eldrax

Last couple posters, please read my initial post again  - I have already been exposed to the dust/crap from around several windows. Also I cleaned up after and we've been living in the house after for many days now. 

I did decide to order a test kit, should arrive today, but if one fibre can kill and/or any exposure will cause cancer? Then it's too late now.