Asbestos in the Home

Health and Safety and Good Practice in relation to Asbestos Cement Products

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in building work up to the late 1970's

Why is Asbestos dangerous?

Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos related lung disease, mainly cancers

What is Asbestos cement?

Asbestos cement is a mixture of cement and asbestos

What is it used for?

Asbestos cement products have been put to a wide range of uses including:

• Corrugated sheets on roofs
• sheds or garages
• bath panels
• soffits
• drain pipes and guttering

What should I do if I think I have asbestos cement products in the home?

If the material is in good condition it may be safe not to remove it but to seal the surface with two or three heavy coats of oil based paint, paying particular attention to the edges of each sheet and around any securing screws/nails.

If the condition is poor, then you may decide to remove it

How do I remove it safely?

If the surface is inside the house it is recommended that a licensed contractor is used (See the HSE Website for more information on suitable qualified contractors)

If the material is outside, the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Wear a good quality dust mask
2. Wear disposable overalls and gloves
3. Wet the surfaces thoroughly with a mixture of water and 25% PVA glue. This should help to seal any loose asbestos fibres
4. Remove the material as whole sheets
5. Do not break the sheets as this can result in the release of asbestos fibres
6. Do not dry sweep asbestos cement debris as this could make asbestos fibres airborne. Debris should be dampened down and picked up

Disposal Advice

1. Asbestos material for disposal should be wrapped in heavy gauge polythene and the joints taped over and sealed
2. Repeat the process so that there are 2 separate layers of polythene
3. Using a waterproof pen, mark each bundle with ASBESTOS MATERIAL - CAUTION
4. When you have finished wrapping the asbestos material, the disposable suit, mask and gloves should also be bagged up and labelled ready for disposal
5. Asbestos material MUST be disposed of a licensed site

For Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council area, Asbestos Cement material can be disposed of by domestic householders, free of charge at Battlefield Waste Disposal Site.

In order to make arrangements for the disposal you are advised to telephone the Waste Management Unit at Shropshire County Council beforehand on telephone number 01743 253064.

Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Health Section of this Council Telephone: 01743 281000