Asbestos risk

[Hobsini]

We had asbestos cement board (~10% chrysotile) in some outbuildings connecting our house with our garage. Had a few specialists take a look at them and most suggested we got them removed particularly as the outbuilding was directly connected to the house. In the end we decided to go ahead with the work. We weren't there the day they were removed and unfortunately that day there was a power cut. The boards were removed ok but we were not happy with the clean up and ended up getting the firm back sometime later to highlight our concerns (especially because of the power cut). They agreed to redo the clean up work which was done ok.

This was all some time ago but we are now worried about this for a number of reasons. The main issue is around whether we should have had it removed at all as most of what I now read says you're better off leaving it where it is. This is perhaps especially true given the outbuilding is connected directly to our kitchen. All this is further compounded by the fact that the job was not really done properly.

With a new baby we're worried that we now ought to have some further testing done to check that our property is safe. Are we worrying unduly or are we right to be concerned?

 

[RonnyRaygun]

Unless they cut the sheets with an angle grinder and left the dust all over your house there is little to worry about.

Chrysotile is less of a risk than Amosite and Crocidolite, and asbestos cement board is one of the safest manifestations as the fibres are very well bound within the material.

Contrary to popular belief, a couple of fibres are not enough to kill you. Lung conditions will only manifest themselves after exposure to tens of thousands of fibres.

 

[Hobsini]

Ok, thanks.

As we weren't there when the contractors did the work it is difficult to say. We had the roof panels removed and replaced with plasterboard. I am not sure what would typically be used for cutting plasterboard but I wouldn't have thought they need an angle grinder to take existing panels down. I would also not expect a specialist asbestos firm to use something inappropriate for the job. On the other hand, I also wouldnt have expected them to have left it without a proper clean up. There was a powercut which explains why they didn't finish that day but I would have expected them to finish the job the next day given that and the material involved.

Would it be worth getting the area tested just to been on the safe side or are we worrying unnecessarily?