maybe a strange question...

[PGrim]

Hi All,

Was wondering if you could help/advise.

I moved into an ex council 1950s house, we are going to do some work, install new kitchen etc.

I am prob being paranoid, but recently I have become obsessed with asbestos .... after reading so much online.

My question is I can't see any asbestos in the house etc... but worried that in the past some may have been removed with proper procaustions? e.g the airing cupboard has been removed? so now a storage cupboard etc.

Am I just being paranoid?

Thanks
Paul

 

[EFCLee1]

I don't think your being paranoid, buit...do you know asbestos when you see it? if not then find someone who does and get them to look around your home

 

[merlin50]

yes you are being paranoid, its the dust when its broken that is the problem, and then only if you work with it all the time. i would be more worried about MDF.

 

[misterdubya]

mdf isnt it?

 

[Nige F]

We moved out of a 50`s council house once - the whole estate was condemned because of `bestos

 

[crank39]

Up until the 80's asbestos was still being used in buildings even though we knew at the turn of the century it was dangerous, thing is we didn't have an alternative mineral that would do the same job so we carried on with it.

From the 80's onwards though the use of it slowed down until it was finally banned in 2000. Anything pre 80's will certainly have it somewhere, some in very strange places, the old black cisterns and toilet seats have asbestos in them, the black bitumen pad stuck under your kitchen sink has it, the old 9" square marley floor tiles have it in, even paper backed lino has asbestos in and lastly artex, these should be fine if undisturbed but are also things that are going to get ripped out during your refurb so you need to know.

Then you have the obvious things like soffits, gutters and downpipes, garage roofs, although these are cement based and are perfectly fine if left alone, its when you break it up and create dust that it becomes an issue

 

[Stamina]

If only they knew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmFzv8sp_eQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrkNPj-tbU4&feature=related

 

[conny]

........... and then only if you work with it all the time. i would be more worried about MDF.

CODSWALLOP!

It only takes a couple of fibres to settle in your lungs and you 'may' develop asbestosis or you may not. There have been cases where wives of men exposed to asbestos have contracted the disease through washing their husbands work wear.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORK WITH IT ALL THE TIME!

Please go on a course/read lierature about asbestos awareness before posting comments like this!

If you have any fears/doubts /unsure if something may contain asbestos then seek professional advice from a registered company, not a general builder/surveyor. Your local environmental Health Department can help you and may even send one of their specialists round free of charge.
DO NOT TAKE CHANCES!