asbestos

[tali122]

some 10-15 years ago our gas fire was closed off by the council due to asbestos, few days later the front room looked like a forensic site, including a mini labatory set up with a expert checking the findings-and his answers to me were rather too technical

at the time i was just glad that the council had cleared the asbestos but i am uneasy about the lack of info- they didnt tell anything- i thought they would have explained procedure etc am i being paranoid or am i right to be suspicous?

[brachiopod]

I'm assuming you mean a few days after they sealed your fireplace off? ie around 10-15 years ago that your front room looked like a 'forensic site'.

It sounds like they were doing things by the book. Despite our perception of Councils being bureaucratic and inefficient, they are sticklers for procedure and rule adherance - especially Health & Safety.

Although asbestos is undoubtedly dangerous, it is when it is in a friable state that the problems occur. When in a stable form (such as solid asbestos board) it is safe as long as it is not disturbed (drilled into, abraded or subject to any other process that could create asbestos dust). In situations like this, it is safer to leave it in situ than to remove it.

Where the asbestos is in 'wool', fibrous or filler form, or subject to abrasion or risk of being drilled into, then it is best removed.

All the monitoring and machinery is to moniter air for asbestos dust during and after removal, ensuring the environment (ie your home) is free from asbestos dust for both you and those conducting the removal.

It sounds like they were doing a good, safe job to me.

[tali122]

thanks for detailed reply, some result of tests would have been reassuring, but i think you are right overall

[brachiopod]

Pleasure, tali.

As for Councils - procedure and safety, they are good at - "wasting" time on explaining these procedures to "mere members of the public" they are not so good at !!

So please don't worry !

[Toureman]

Mention Asbestos and most people treat it as though it was Anthrax

[Chazmondo]

Asbestos has killed more people than Anthrax has.

Asbestos is the biggest Industrial killer and is rising rapidly.