Question 1: I have a water tank made from asbestos cement. Is it safe?

Answer: Even if fibres are being released into the water, there is no evidence that exposure to asbestos In drinking water has any adverse effect on health at all. The outer surface of the tank is usually in a relatively inaccessible place and so should remain in good condition. If access around the tank is needed at frequent intervals then sealing the surface with a decorative or other finish may be a sensible precaution.

Question 2: When asbestos is found in buildings should it be removed?

Answer: It is recommended that if it is undamaged and unlikely to be disturbed, material containing asbestos should be left in place, if necessary sealing it in with paint, plastic or UVA glue.

Question 3: I have heard that inhaling one asbestos fibre kills. Is this true?

Answer: Asbestos fibres are present everywhere in the air at very low levels. This means that everyone is breathing in a very low level of fibres all the time. The small burden of fibres resulting from this background exposure appears to be well tolerated, so the theory that one asbestos fibre kills is unfounded. Diseases caused by asbestos are work related. Plumbers, builders, electricians, and central heating engineers are those most at risk.

Question 4: What is the risk of getting lung cancer from asbestos exposure?

Answer: The Department of Health statistics for deaths from lung cancer in the UK are 7.2% in men, and 3.7% in women. The extra risk from non-occupational exposure to asbestos is minuscule.

Question 5: Just how dangerous is asbestos?

Answer: Asbestos is a mineral substance that can split into many tiny fibres. When present in the air, these fibres can be inhaled into the lungs where they may lodge. If sufficient fibres are inhaled they can lead to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and another type of cancer called mesothelioma. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) pose a greater risk than chrysotile (white asbestos), which is the most common type of asbestos found in buildings. The exposures encountered by members of the general public outdoors or in their homes are very low and unlikely to present any risk. Nevertheless, it is wise to take precautions if you are handling any substance you suspect may contain asbestos.

Question 6: I am fairly sure I have white asbestos in my home. How do I know whether it is pure chrysotile or contaminated with the more dangerous kinds of asbestos (amphibole Asbestos - crocidolite and amosite)?

Answer: This is a job for an expert - the material will need to be analysed by a specialist firm. As a rule chrysotile was used for most applications where some consumer contact was expected, with amphiboles reserved for industrial applications, but some amphibole (especially amosite) was used in buildings, particularly those constructed in the 1950s.

Question 7: Are old asbestos products more dangerous?

Answer: Not necessarily. In some cases (for example, asbestos cement) the product containing fibres may deteriorate with age, making fibre release more probable. Asbestos fibres are very durable and their condition will not normally change over time. There is no evidence that the overall risk associated with these fibres will increase but exposure potential may be higher with
Materials in poor condition due to age.

Question 8: Should all asbestos products be removed from buildings?

Answer: It is recommended that, if it is undamaged and unlikely to be disturbed, material containing asbestos should be left in place, if necessary sealing it with paint or plastic film.

Question 9: I have an asbestos cement garage roof. What precautions should I take when removing or repairing it?

Answer: As this is outdoors there is unlikely to be any risk of serious exposure to asbestos fibres.
However, asbestos cement sheets can be fragile so take care to avoid falling through the roof. If you do decide to dismantle your garage roof, the work should be carried out in accordance with HSE guidance in Working with asbestos cement. If possible, spray the sheets with water to reduce dust emissions. Try to remove them whole and take care to avoid breakage or sliding dry sheets over one another as this will release asbestos fibres into the air. Avoid the use of power tools. A disposable dust mask that is 'CE' marked to EN 149 with FFP2 particulate filters will provide an additional level of protection. After removal, the asbestos should be bagged or wrapped in polythene sheets, sealed, labelled 'Asbestos' and taken to a disposal site licensed to take asbestos waste. Whole sheets of asbestos cement do not need to be sealed but should be wrapped in polythene sheets. Information on disposal can be obtained from your local authority.

Question 10: My ceiling has a decorative coating (Artex, Pebblecoat and Wondertex used to contain chrysotile asbestos). How should I remove it?

Answer: If possible, you should paint, cover or plaster over the decorative coating rather than remove it. There are products on the market for covering textured surfaces. Alternatively, if the coating is applied to a plasterboard surface, the whole board may be removed in pieces large enough for convenient handling and disposal. If you do wish to remove the surface finish only, reduce as much as possible the chance of you generating and inhaling any dust by soaking the surface with warm water and scraping off wet. Do not sand the decorative coating or scrape off dry. For best protection while doing any minor DIY work you should wear a disposable dust mask, 'CE' marked to EN 149 with FFP2 particulate filters.

Question 11: The paint on my asbestos soffit boards is flaking badly. What is the best way to renovate and redecorate them?

Answer: Avoid working directly overhead. The existing paintwork may be removed by carefully applying a proprietary paint remover to the surface or by spraying with water and gently scraping off loose material. A sealant and finishing coat should then be applied. If sanding is absolutely unavoidable then a coarse wet and dry paper USED WET will restore a finish. You should wear a dust mask (as above) while doing this work. The area should be well cleaned with a damp cloth when the job is complete and the cleaning materials sealed in a plastic bag for disposal.

Question 12: How should I clean my asbestos cement corrugated roof?

Answer: Do not clean the roof unless really necessary as asbestos fibres may be released during the process. If cleaning is necessary apply a moss killer (e.g Jeyes' fluid), using a brush or spray, then remove the dead moss with a stiff broom a day or more after treatment. Do not sand or scrape the cement. The use of crawling boards should be employed when working on asbestos cement roofs, as there is a risk of the boards breaking under pressure and the worker falling through. HSE guidance 'Working with Asbestos Cement' gives further directions.

Question13: I have asbestos cement gutters that I want to remove. How should I do this?

Answer: The procedure is basically the same as that for asbestos cement roofing. Sections of guttering should be removed in one piece wherever possible and any dusty material should be damped down with water. Phone your local council for advice on disposal of the waste.

Question 14: How should I dispose of the asbestos materials that I have removed from my house?

Answer: Asbestos materials are treated as special waste, and so cannot be disposed of in the same way as normal household waste. Place the material in strong plastic bags (asbestos should be double-bagged) and label clearly. Then transport to Wrentham tip before 2pm. YOU WILL BE
CHARGED £30 A ¼ TON, £120 A TON TO DISPOSE OF THE ASBESTOS at current tariffs (14/10/04)

Question 15: What is the danger from asbestos released during fires? (eg Garages with asbestos roofs)

Answer: There is no evidence of a risk to health due to exposure to asbestos released during fires. This is mainly from asbestos cement roofing materials and most of the fibres remain sealed within the fragments. However, it is best to minimise exposure to asbestos wherever possible, and so if it is suspected that asbestos may be released during a fire, local residents should stay indoors and should not pick up or otherwise disturb any debris from the fire.

Question 16: What are the dangers of living near land which is contaminated by asbestos?

Answer: There is no reason to suppose that the environmental levels of asbestos in the vicinity of contaminated land will be significantly elevated.

Question 17: How can I find out if the house I am living in contains asbestos?

Answer: This can be extremely difficult and tenants will almost certainly need professional advice. The answer is that the council are already surveying properties as part of their health and safety programme. Your property will already be on the list of properties to be surveyed if it is
suspected of containing asbestos. The age or construction method of the property will have
indicated the priority of your property to be surveyed.
Not all properties will be surveyed at first for the presence of asbestos.

Question 18: I live in a block of council-owned flats where asbestos has been used in construction. Whose responsibility is it to deal with the asbestos?

Answer: The management of asbestos in any building is the responsibility of the building owner, in this case the council. Contact the council's housing department.

Question 19: What requirement is there for landlords to inform tenants of the presence of asbestos in a house?

Answer: There is no formal requirement on landlords to inform tenants of the presence of asbestos or do anything about it unless it is such that they should reasonably have been aware of it and it is a real threat to the tenants' personal safety. The Defective Premises Act 1972 puts a duty of care on the landlord to take such care as is reasonable in all the circumstances to see that tenants and other people are reasonably safe from personal injury or disease caused by a defect in the property. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 implies into all tenancies a condition that the rented property is fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and an undertaking that the
landlord will maintain that standard throughout the tenancy. A property shall only be regarded
as unfit for human habitation if it is so defective that it is not reasonably suitable for occupation.

Question 20: Can I get a grant to have the asbestos removed from my home?

Answer: Grants are not generally available for the removal of asbestos. Housing renovation grants are awarded by Local Authorities, but all applications are means-tested and no assistance can be guaranteed.

Question 21: Where can I find out more?

Answer: Try the following links for more asbestos related information:

The Health & Safety Executive
The Asbestos Information Centre Ltd