Asbestos

Asbestos in the Home - Guidance for Tenants

This information addresses concerns and questions about asbestos in people's homes. It explains:

·What is asbestos

· Where it may be found

· why it may be a problem, and

· how to deal with it.

Asbestos is used in a wide range of building materials and products. Properties built or refurbished before 1999 are likely to use Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs). The vast majority of houses built between 1950 and 1980 are more than likely to have had asbestos used during their construction. The most common is asbestos cement which can still be seen on many garages and sheds throughout the UK.

Why asbestos may be a problem?

Asbestos that is in good condition or treated is not a hazard. However, when asbestos materials deteriorate with age or become damaged, they can release fibres into the air that can be harmful if inhaled in sufficient quantities. This most commonly affected those working with asbestos. Health and safety regulations are now in force to protect these people and you as residents and the risks are very low.

Is everyone exposed to asbestos?

A low level of asbestos fibres exists in the air everywhere and exposure to this low 'environmental' level is very unlikely to harm people's health. Levels of fibres may be higher inside buildings that contain asbestos especially if these products are damaged or deteriorating. However it is unlikely that fibre levels will be high enough to damage health. If you, suspect you have damaged asbestos materials within your home, you should seek advice on the appropriate action to take by contacting FCHO ASAP. High short-term exposure to asbestos fibres can occur during DIY work that disturbs Asbestos. For this reason do not carry out any DIY work to asbestos that may create dust such as drilling or sanding.

Where is asbestos found most?

Homes built between 1950-1980 are most likely to have asbestos in them. Since 1999 the use of asbestos in most products has been banned. However it is not always easy to tell whether a product contains asbestos, as modern asbestos-free materials often look similar - remember it is usually older products that contain asbestos. The most common types of asbestos materials that may be found in homes are described below.

1) Insulating board

Insulating board is used for fire protection, heat and sound insulation. It is particularly common in 1960s and 1970s system-built housing and is found in ducts, infill panels, ceiling tiles, wall lining, bath panels and partitions.

2) Asbestos lagging

Asbestos lagging has been used for thermal insulation of pipes and boilers. It was widely used in system built flats in boiler houses and heating plants. Asbestos lagging is very rarely found in homes, especially those constructed after the mid 1970s.

3) Sprayed asbestos coatings

Sprayed asbestos coatings were used for fire protection of structural steel. The coatings were mainly applied around the core of the building such as service ducts, lift shafts etc. Sprayed asbestos has since been removed from many buildings, or sealed to prevent fibres being released.

4) Asbestos-cement products

Asbestos-cement is the most widely used asbestos material. It is found in buildings as  sheets for roofing and wall-cladding; in linings to walls and ceilings; in bath panels; soffit boards, fire surrounds, flue pipes, cold water tanks and as roofing tiles and slates. It has been commonly used as roofing and cladding for garages and sheds and also in guttering and drainpipes. Asbestos cement products are unlikely to release high levels of fibres because of the way they are made, unless they are subject to extreme abrasion.

5) Other building materials and products

Asbestos has been used in a variety of other building materials; for example in decorative coatings such as textured paints and plasters, some plastic floor tiles, cushion flooring, roofing felts, tapes, ropes, felts and blankets.

6) Heating appliances and domestic equipment

Asbestos was used in many heating systems.

Since 1976, British manufacturers have put labels on their products to show they contain asbestos and, after 1986, all products containing asbestos carry the European label. The supplier or manufacturer of a product may be able to tell you if it contains asbestos.

What are FCHO doing to manage asbestos?

Developing an asbestos register and management system  

FCHO is surveying properties and compiling a register to list those found to contain asbestos materials. It records the type, location, and condition of the asbestos containing materials if present, this will then determine if asbestos needs removing, sealing or regular inspection.

Remember, asbestos-containing products can look very similar to those not containing asbestos - if in doubt SEEK ADVICE.

What should I do if I suspect there is asbestos in my home?

Asbestos materials in good condition that cannot readily be damaged are best left where they are because removal can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air for a period of time. Check the condition of asbestos materials from time to time to make sure they have not become damaged or started to deteriorate. Asbestos materials that are slightly damaged can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing the material. It is not Government policy to remove all Asbestos Containing Materials, if you are in any doubt contact FCHO on 0161 770 8863/3608.

Asbestos materials that are badly damaged or deteriorating can release dust and should be removed. Some asbestos materials (sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards) must always be removed by contractors with a special license issued by the Health and Safety Executive. These licensed contractors have to follow regulations to ensure asbestos is safely removed. Air monitoring may be carried out to check on the levels of airborne fibre, if in any doubt contact FCHO on 0161 770 8863/3608.

Take care when doing DIY

If you have asbestos materials in your home, extra care should be taken when carrying out Do-it-Yourself work. If you think a material may contain asbestos, please call FCHO so that we can advise you.

DO NOT attempt work involving sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards, as this must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor. If you are working close to asbestos materials take the following precautions:

DO NOT drill, cut or disturb asbestos

DO NOT scrape or sand asbestos materials before painting and decorating. Some types of asbestos materials are very soft and can release large numbers of fibres if rubbed or scraped.

How should I dispose of asbestos?

Small amounts of asbestos cement can be wetted and put into a strong plastic bag. This should be sealed tightly and clearly marked 'ASBESTOS' and then put in a second clear bag.

DO NOT break up large asbestos cement sheets. They do not need to be sealed in bags but should be double wrapped in or similar sheeting and disposed of as asbestos waste.

DO NOT put asbestos waste in the dustbin. When properly sealed, small quantities of asbestos can be taken to Household Waste Disposal Sites. Please check with site before bringing asbestos waste in, if in doubt contact FCHO on 0161 770 8863/3608.

"Right to Buy" and other homeowners.

If you are a homeowner, you are responsible for any Asbestos Containing Materials in your home. Whether tenant or homeowner, if you are concerned about asbestos in your home, please ring FCHO for more information.