About Asbestos
ByAny building constructed before 2000 is thought to contain an ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) of one type or another. They are found in schools, hospitals, factories, public buildings even domestic properties, so asbestos has woven itself into our lives, but largely unseen.
The properties and versatility of asbestos made it an excellent building material. As a good thermal insulator it has been used to lag pipes and protect structural steelwork. It is also an excellent electrical insulating material and its high tensile strength has been used to give that strength to a wide range of other products such as gaskets. The long flexible fibres have been woven into cloth and rope used for fire protection and sealing of joints.
Add to all this the fact that it is highly resilient and does not degrade; it is not surprising it was used so widely. However, unfortunately it can also be deadly! Large numbers of people are now dying from past exposure to asbestos and will continue to do so unless action is taken.
If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises which may contain asbestos you have a legal duty to manage the risk from this material.
There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises today. These are commonly called ‘blue asbestos’ (crocidolite), ‘brown asbestos’ (amosite) and ‘white asbestos’ (chrysotile). All of them are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos’ are more hazardous than white, but unfortunately you cannot identify them by their colour.
Although it is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction or refurbishment of any premises, many thousands of tonnes of it were used in the past and much of it is still in place. As long as it is in good condition and is not being or going to be disturbed or damaged there is no risk. But if it is disturbed or damaged, it can become a danger to health, because asbestos fibres are released into the air and people can breathe them in.
Up to 1,500,000 commercial, industrial and public buildings in the UK are likely to contain asbestos materials. Unless this material is properly managed anyone who has access to the buildings, including employees, the public and building/maintenance workers is at risk from breathing in the life-threatening fibres of asbestos.
An asbestos survey is now required due to new law legislation and is highly advisable for the health and safety of a workforce, friends or family.
Question and Answer
Asbestos!!??
Could this be true. i was opening a old 70's reel to reel mic and the mini cord inside had insalation that turned into dust. Could it be asbestos? Will I die?
it was yellow
Asbestos Survey with the Asbestos Group
9 Comments
February 1st, 2010 at 10:53 am
In my state, it's the Department of Environmental Quality, unless you're in a certain county, then it can come under the county's air quality regulation agency. So, be prepared for the health department to steer you to someone else.
If the building was constructed after 1980, there's little chance it's asbestos containing, but not impossible. You can take a full-depth sample of the hallway walls or whatever they're demolishing and take it to an accredited lab – look for "environmental services" in the yellow pages. Analysis can range from 12 to 30 dollars, but would be well worth it.
Do NOT use a vacuum. It's very difficutl to analyze, and impossible to give an accurate number from. Also, there's no published and approved method for analyzing asbestos in vacuum bags….For air sampling, you need appropriate pumps, filters, and you need to know the air flow volume. This is best left for an industrial hygienist.
Bulk samples, if you decide to take one, should be taken with a clean tool, put in a sealed plastic bag, record the location taken, maybe take pictures, and send it to a lab. Or – call your air quality regulatory agency and "sic them" on it. Good luck.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:32 am
Vermiculite is not known to contain asbestos. Some home inspectors are more prone to cover themselves with Teflon, that is, put things in writing so there is no way they can be sued later. A good home inspector will know a lab nearby that will test the vermiculite for asbestos for under $100. Leave it alone. Was it causing a problem for you before the inspection? Asbestos is not a health problem unless it gets into the air and you breath it for long periods of time. Asbestos was in the pop-corn ceiling coating until '73.
As long as it stays painted, it poses no problem. I'm not a technical expert, but inhaling tobacco fumes pose a greater health risk. If the vermiculite is not more than 6" thick, blow another 6" of cellulose or rock wool or fiber glass and get an R30 and keep yourself cool in summer and warm in winter.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:06 pm
February 1st, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Actually this is a question involving legal issues as well as environmental issues.
You don't state where you live.
I worked on a house in Montana 3 years ago, which had asbestos shingles as siding. The customer wanted them removed, and a different type of siding installed.
I went to the local permit/code office and was told I couldn't do that, even as a licensed contractor.
Remediation of asbestos is potentially dangerous, and it's disposal is an issue as well. There are no specific laws that I know of however, regarding painting over, or siding over asbestos siding.
It may be expensive, in that if it's discovered to be asbestos based, you might be required to have it removed in any case?
I understand budgetary constraints, but if you plan to remain in the house for the long term, it seems to me, it would be worth it to explore the removal and disposal.
Certainly if you sold the house you'd be obligated to disclose the substance of the siding, especially if it is in fact asbestos based.
Rev. Steven
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:02 am
I doubt there would be asbestos in the wall but it may be present in old pipe lagging etc it should have been mentioned in the surveyors report when you purchased the house.Because your boyfriend is a plumber he will be fully aware of the risks of asbestos and will take the appropriate action if he finds any
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:24 pm
You've touched on the answer. People who do not know think "this stuff is poison, or I will get cancer" Asbestos products as you indicated are best left alone. There are cases where the removal is important, if you are removing an old boiler system and installing a central forced air system then the old system is in the way and should be removed by a professional. In the case of asbestos tile floor or siding the material is OK as long as in the case of siding it is painted and you do not saw, or drill or scrape the material. If painted you don't want to scrape it when you plan to repaint. In the case of tile, you should not strip the floor to apply new wax. and you should keep it waxed or sealed. The fibers are dangerous when they become airborne. Lead based paint falls into this category too.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:28 pm
First of all, you need to know if it's asbestos, or something else. Could be anything.
If it is asbestos, it is illegal to dispose of it. If they try, the fines are FEDERAL, and very heavy!
February 4th, 2010 at 4:24 am
February 4th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
You can call the health board in your area..this is totally illegal..By law a removal of this sort should be done only by trained and licensed asbestos ebatement teams…They canot legally do this..If it is already done the health board will perform the necessary tests and also make them pay for any removal if you show signs of it in your yard, along with more than likely a heavy fine…Asbestos si usually not harmless unless airborne in a dust form etcetera, but by burning it I would say this put some airborne and into the enviroment