Asbestos question...

[elbart0]

Hi,

I recently had my guttering and fascias replaced and the soffits cladded. I believe that the soffits were made of asbestos-cement. I wasn't around when the work was being done but everything was done well and cleaned up.

My question is that I've found a few fragments of what I believe to be asbestos-cement. We're talking about the size of a ten pence piece. I'm totally ignorant on the subject of asbestos beyond what I've read off the net. Can somebody tell me what the risks are with disposing of this stuff and if there is any risk cause by asbestos dust that may have fallen to the ground when work was being carried out?

Like I say I wasn't around for the actual work so I wouldn't have come into contact with any dust whilst the work was being done. I just want to make sure that if there is any asbestos fragments or dust around I deal with it appropriately.

cheers,

Eb

 

[Deluks]

Gather all the fragments you can find, put in a plastic bag and tape up, then throw it out with the normal rubbish. It will end up in landfill with the rest of the rubbish.

If it's rained since having the work done then it's not worth worrying about.

 

[elbart0]

It's not rained since but it's been very damp. There's no evidence of any dust around but obviously I assume I wouldn't see it.

I'm not entirely sure if it's even asbestos concrete used for the soffits. It's a light greyish material. The fragments I've seen look like a cross between fibre-glass and cardboard. My house was built around 1971, which is why I assumed it probably was asbestos-concrete. I don't know if there are other similar materials that might have been used around this time.

I'm probably be unnecessarily paranoid I guess.

 

[Nige F]

Asbestos-cement No, you`re not being unduly paranoid.........you`re just being taken in by the Media paranoia/ money for old rope/asbestos brigade Look @ www.asbestoswatchdog.co.uk and make a rational judgement

 

[Mw Roofline]

The soffits are AIB asbestos insulating boards. Bag them up, chuck em in the bin, nothing to worry about.

You were breathing in more asbestos hanging around traffic lights when pre 80's cars with asbestos brake shoes were everywhere.

 

[elbart0]

Thanks for the advice.

It doesn't look like it's rained since the work was done. Is it worth me wetting down the area underneath the soffits to reduce the possibility of dust or is this just more paranoia on my part?

How do I tell the difference between asbestos cement and asbestos insulation boards? The stuff I've found is about 5mm thick, it's grey in colour and hard like a tile, quite heavy. It looks like pictures I've seen of asbestos cement, hence why I think that's what it is, but I'm not an expert.

How long do asbestos fibres remain in the air after being disturbed in an outdoor environment?

 

[Deluks]

Thanks for the advice.

It doesn't look like it's rained since the work was done. Is it worth me wetting down the area underneath the soffits to reduce the possibility of dust or is this just more paranoia on my part?

How do I tell the difference between asbestos cement and asbestos insulation boards? The stuff I've found is about 5mm thick, it's grey in colour and hard like a tile, quite heavy. It looks like pictures I've seen of asbestos cement, hence why I think that's what it is, but I'm not an expert.

How long do asbestos fibres remain in the air after being disturbed in an outdoor environment?

There's no real way of knowing that it is asbestos without showing it to an expert, however early 70's means that it probably is. Wait for it to rain, then pick up, bag and bin, as you've been advised. You've really got nothing to worry about.

 

[elbart0]

Just one last question (honest).

Somebody has suggested that it may be Asbestolux as opposed to Asbestos Cement, is that likely? I've now figured out that my house was built around 1973 to 1974.

Asbestolux seems to be a more dangerous substance than Asbestos Cement from what I've read.

 

[Paulboy]

just bin. it wont do u any harm!!!

 

[elbart0]

Yeah I'm sure it won't but I've moved on from worrying about individual bits, I'm more concerned about any possible dust contamination now. Although I expect any dust has long since been blown round the neighbourhood anyway.

 

[Paulboy]

, its not going to cayuse any harm in the amounts u are talking about

 

[elbart0]

Okay thanks for all the advice.

We're probably only talking about the removal of about ten (probable) asbestos cement sheets (still don't know that they are asbestos or not), so I think you're probably right and I've not got much to worry about. I wasn't around anyway for the removal so wouldn't have been exposed to any dust.

 

[PBy]

Oh dear. Some real rubbish here. Abestolux IS hazardous and a form of asbestos insulating board. Anyone who says otherwise is ignorant. Management is controlled by regulations. See http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos. Anyone who has maintained or removed it improperly (only licensed contractors can do these tasks) needs to seek advice from an occupational health specialist and their GP. Really. Also, the site (and van, etc.) will be contaminated, so they need to get this sorted by professionals too (NOT a DIY vacuum cleaner). Contamination can last for many years. Friends and family will also have been exposed and may contract an asbestos disease later in life. This is called, I think, paraexposure. They need to seek some medical advice too. This ISN'T being alarmist.

 

[Deluks]

Well as it was well over a year ago, the OP is probably too ill to read this from his hospital bed, in the terminally ill ward for those with fireproof lungs.

 

[chappers]

not to mention that the work was carried out, outside and the dust would have blown away almost immediately.Asbestos I agree is not something to be taken lightly , but common sense should prevail. Last week I unscrewed an asbestos panel off of the back of an understairs cupboard door bagged it and threw it in the skip do you think I am likely to die anytime soon or do you think the owner of the house would be willing to pay hundreds of pounds to have the asbestos humanely removed.