Concerned about asbestos

dragonfall5 · 6 Apr 2007

I have a small shed at the end of my garden which has probably been there for at least 30 years. The roof is made of corrugated concrete boards.

When I went in there the other day I noticed the floor was very damp - as were most of the items in there - and realised it had, over the winter, developed a large crack in the boards.

I cleared most of the stuff out to dry it off - but then looked at the cracked ceiling. The cracked edge of the board was a grey/blue and had what looked like small shiny fibres in it.

I now assume this is asbestos and am concerned about the health risks. I was only in the she for five minutes clearing it out - and most of the items were covered in water which presumably would have reduced the amount of lose dust.

Should I be worried about the immediate health risk. I understand most asbesto sheeting is the less dangerous white stuff - but am still worried about it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

^woody^ · 6 Apr 2007

You should only be worried if you have been sanding or cutting it and breathing in the dust.

Roof sheets just left alone, even if cracked do not give off their fibres to any measurable extent.

If you are really concerned, then a simple lick of gloss paint on the crack will seal any fibres

dragonfall5 · 6 Apr 2007

My main concern was if I had disturbed any fibres that may have fallen from the crack and were laying on the gear I cleared out of the shed.

Am I being paranoid?

^woody^ said:
You should only be worried if you have been sanding or cutting it and breathing in the dust.

Roof sheets just left alone, even if cracked do not give off their fibres to any measurable extent.

If you are really concerned, then a simple lick of gloss paint on the crack will seal any fibres

JohnD · 6 Apr 2007

you could hose it out or wet-mop it. Damp-Sponge any articles that were stored in there.

Don't sweep it dry or hoover it as this will stir up any fibres.

If you are worrying about it you could replace with plastic roofing.

Your council will have advice on the disposal of the old boards. Generally, you clean up any dust or fragments with a damp sponge or cloth, seal them in a plastic bag so they stay damp and the dust will not escape.

Fibrous asbestos insulation is much worse for releasing fibres.

^woody^ · 6 Apr 2007

Any fibres are so fine, so small and so light, they do not fall and lay on things, they waft around in the air - and as such are diluted so much that there are probably more harmful things in the air anyway - along with existing ever present fibres from past asbestos production.

Yes you are being paranoid

jeds · 7 Apr 2007

Asbestos cement board contains only about 2.5% of asbestos fibre and that is largely bonded to the heavier cement. This makes it much less likely to be breathed in and if it is breathed in the cement largely prevents the fibres from embedding in the soft lung tissue. For this reason asbestos cement is very low risk and is not classed as a controlled material.

The only restriction on it is that it must be properly disposed of as special waste at a licenced facility. If you handle it you should also take the sensible precautions that you would take when dealing with any fibrous material.

So yes. You are worrying over nothing.

Thermo · 7 Apr 2007

.....or is he??????????

mk85 · 12 Apr 2007

How dangerous is Asbestos in Textured coating. I dont want to plaster over it as there are cracks in the ceiling and walls so i want to rip off all the plaster up to the bare brick. Its in a flat above a shop so i cant really soak it down with lots of water as it will cause problems downstairs.

I'm pretty sure it does contain asbestos as similar textured coating is found in the shop underneath and that does contain it.

Is the removal of it something i can do myself? And how would i need to dispose of it? because the plaster behind the texured coating will get contaminated as it all gets removed.

neilsumner · 12 Apr 2007

The HSE website has lots of reliable information about asbestos.
This page lists different tasks and how you should go about performing them in order to protect yourself.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm

EDIT: Of course these are written with the construction worker in mind and not DIYers but it gives you a good idea.

-Neil

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Concerned about asbestos

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