Asbestos

Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos related diseases, for which there are no cure. However, if asbestos is in good condition and is not being or going to be disturbed, it presents no risk. If asbestos containing materials are disturbed or damaged, the fibres can be released into the air and breathed in. Asbestos containing materials are not likely to be found in new buildings, as certain types of asbestos were banned in 1985. Common uses of asbestos include:

• Insulating board used for fire protection and thermal insulation.
• Asbestos cement products, e.g. corrugated roofs.
• Gutters, rainwater pipes.

If you are an employee you have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to prevent the exposure to asbestos. There is a further new duty under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 which requires those in charge of premises to manage the risk from asbestos.

The District Council no longer has any involvement in Asbestos sampling or removal but can offer you some advice that might help. If you are a private tenant, please contact your Landlord. Private owners should employ a licensed contractor to inspect and, if necessary, remove the asbestos. A full list of licensed contractors can be found by visiting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Asbestos website.

Asbestos and Fire Clean-Up − Precautions

When houses and buildings burn, asbestos fibers can become airborne, creating a potentially hazardous situation.

• Handling materials that contain asbestos can be hazardous to your health.
• Typically clean-up of asbestos-containing materials is done by trained professionals with proper safety equipment.  A full list of licensed contractors can be found by visiting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Asbestos website.
• Many buildings constructed before 1981 have asbestos-containing materials. Buildings constructed after 1981 will have less of these materials, however, burning of even relatively smaller amounts of these materials may release asbestos fibres into the air. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and a respiratory hazard.

The only way to determine if asbestos is present in a burned-out area is to have a certified asbestos consultant test the material.