is this asbestos? (worker from letting agency put my ceiling through today)

Marcia_1

a worker from letting agency was in the space above my ceiling today. they say there were birds in the loft, he was clearing out. he put a big hole through my ceiling. i've attached images of the stuff that came through. he didn't even bother to clean up the mess he caused. no apology from the agency. i've been researching and looks like it might be asbestos. it's an old building, well before 1970. please let me know if you think it is or not. thank you. 

grumpy_codger

Looks like glass wool to me

user1977

Agreed, doesn't look asbestos to me. Not that the other dust is going to be doing you much good!

Marcia_1

thank you. the replies are appreciated. however, when i search for glass wool, i get images that look like this: a continuous roll - the stuff that fell through isn't a continuous roll. 

the stuff that fell through is loads of fluffy chunks - like this example: 


my floor:

user1977

It isn't always a continuous roll (especially after somebody's put their foot through it!).

Marcia_1

again thanks for reply. however, when i do image searches on my photos, i get results like - what is this? is this safe? is this asbestos? 

anselld

There is not going to be loose asbestos used as loft insulation.
If there is asbestos anywhere it will be in the textured ceiling covering if there was one (artex etc).

HampshireH

anselld said:

There is not going to be loose asbestos used as loft insulation.
If there is asbestos anywhere it will be in the textured ceiling covering if there was one (artex etc).

Loose fill insulation could absolutely have been used as loft insulation historically. As well as the artex. That's not to say it is.

OP if you are concerned (which you are as you wouldn't have posted) you need to shut off the room, call your estate agent and request a clean up. A copy of the asbestos survey should be available on request. If they don't have one ask for it to be done. They should also be arranging cleanup whatever way (absestos or not)

Your landlord is responsible for proving it's safe.

Whilst it is highly unlikely to be asbestos (as it would be highly irresponsible to let a property with it and have people working up there) if it is it will need a specialist clean and air test.

bobster2

From what I've seen asbestos containing loose-fill loft insulation tends to look more like crumbled clay...

https://www.asbestos-sampling.com/pages/loose-fill-asbestos

Most of the photos you've posted are not photos of your own loft right? Can you stick your head up in the hatch and take a photo? You may see typical rolls of glass wool.

You could browse the "Asbestorama" gallery...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asbestos_pix/albums/

Section62

HampshireH said:

anselld said:

There is not going to be loose asbestos used as loft insulation.
If there is asbestos anywhere it will be in the textured ceiling covering if there was one (artex etc).

Loose fill insulation could absolutely have been used as loft insulation historically. As well as the artex. That's not to say it is.
...

^This, 100%.

Loose fill asbestos loft insulation isn't the most common form in the average home, but it exists and is one of the more dangerous forms, as well as being harder to remove.

Tabieth

There’s some helpful info (including how it identify asbestos and what to do) here

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