Asbestos 

Asbestos in the home 

• Why may asbestos be a problem?  

  When asbestos materials get old or damaged, they can release fibres into the air. 

  You can breathe these fibres deep into your lungs, and they may stay there for a long time, causing possible damage. If you breathe in a lot of these fibres, you are at risk of lung diseases, including lung cancer. 

  People who have worked with asbestos for many years or who have washed the dusty clothing of those who have worked with asbestos are most likely to be affected. 

  Regulations now protect such people.

   

• Does everyone come into contact with asbestos? 

  Because asbestos has been used widely, there is a very low level of fibres in the air everywhere. This low level of fibres is unlikely to harm your health. 

  Levels of fibres may be higher in buildings containing asbestos materials, especially if the asbestos materials are damaged. It is very unlikely that the levels of asbestos fibres found in buildings will be harmful. 

  However, if you have damaged asbestos materials in your home, you should get advice on what to do from us. Contact the Business Support Team at the address shown. 

  You may come into contact with high levels of asbestos fibres during DIY work. Try not to raise dust when working with materials which may contain asbestos, and avoid sanding and drilling.

   

• Where am I likely to find asbestos? 

  Building materials containing asbestos were widely used from 1930 to around 1980, particularly from the 1960s onwards. So, houses and flats built or refurbished at this time may contain asbestos materials.

  Asbestos has also been used in some heat-resistant household products, such as oven gloves and ironing boards.

  The use of asbestos in these products fell around the mid-1980s and, since 1993, the government has banned the use of asbestos in most products.

  • 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
  • Loft and cavity wall insulation does not contain asbestos

  Types of asbestos material you may find in your home

   

• How can I tell if something contains asbestos? 

  • Since 1976, British manufacturers have put labels on their products to show they contain asbestos. Since 1986, all products that contain asbestos carry the European label
  • Sometimes, a product's supplier or manufacturer may be able to tell you if it contains asbestos
  • Often homes built at the same time contain similar materials - your neighbours may know if surveys for asbestos have been done
  • Our health and consumer services officers may be able to tell you if you have asbestos products in your home, or if homes in your area have been surveyed

  Remember, products that contain asbestos can look very similar to those that don't. If you are not sure, get advice from us at the address shown. 

  Seeking advice
  We will be able to give you advice on asbestos in your home. 

  Contact the Business Support Team on 020 8215 3000 or email 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk. 

  If you are a council tenant, telephone 020 8592 7388 or email housingrepairs@lbbd.gov.uk

   

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

  Asbestos materials in good condition that cannot easily be damaged
  These are often best left where they are because removing can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air for some time. 

  Check the condition of the asbestos materials from time to time to make sure they have not become damaged or the condition has started to get worse. 

  If you are planning home improvements or maintenance and you have asbestos in your home, always tell the builders, maintenance workers or contractors before they start work. 

  Asbestos materials that are slightly damaged
  These can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing the material. Ask us for advice. 

  Asbestos materials that are badly damaged or the condition is getting worse
  These 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 licence issued by the government. 

  Health and consumer services officers can give you advice on removing asbestos and licensed contractors. 

  Sometimes it is dangerous to have asbestos materials (such as fire-protection materials) removed without replacing them with a suitable alternative. 

  Remember

  • Do not disturb or damage asbestos materials that are in good condition
  • If you have damaged asbestos materials in your home, or the condition of the asbestos materials is getting worse, get advice from us
  • Do not continue to use oven gloves or other small items that contain asbestos. Get rid of them safely
  • It you think that your warm-air heating system, electrical storage heating system or flameless catalytic gas heater may contain asbestos, ask your local gas or electricity supplier for advice. If they do contain asbestos, do not try to dismantle these appliances yourself, ask us for advice

   

• Take care when doing DIY 

  If you have asbestos materials in your home, you need to take extra care when doing DIY.

  Do not try to do any work involving sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards, a licensed asbestos-removal contractor must do this. If you are not sure, get advice from us. 

  If you do any DIY with asbestos materials, take the following precautions.

  • Keep other people away from the area you are working in
  • Wear protective clothing such as overalls. (It is better if you can throw these away after doing the work). Don't breathe in asbestos dust. We recommend that you wear a disposable dust mask 'CE' marked to EN 149 standard with FFP2 filters
  • Keep asbestos materials wet so they don't produce as much dust
  • Work outside if possible and avoid working on surfaces above your head
  • Do not drill, cut or disturb asbestos unless this is absolutely necessary. Do not scrape or sand asbestos materials before painting and decorating. (Think about covering over existing decorations rather than trying to remove them). Some types of asbestos materials are very soft and can release a lot of fibres if you rub or scrape them
  • Use hand tools rather than power tools
  • Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clear up the dust. Hire an industrial vacuum cleaner that meets standard BS 5415 (Type H)
  • When you have finished the work, clean up and then take your overalls off carefully. (This will avoid raising any dust which may have collected in the fabric). If you can throw your overalls away, put them in 2 plastic bags clearly marked 'Asbestos'. Do not put the bags in the dustbin. If you cannot throw your overalls away, wash them in a washing machine, separately from other clothes, straight away

   

• How should i get rid of Asbestos 

  • Wet small amounts of asbestos waste and put it in a strong plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and clearly mark it 'asbestos'
  • Do not break up large asbestos-cement sheets. You do not need to seal these in bags. Wrap them in polythene or similar sheeting, and clearly mark as 'asbestos'
  • Do not put asbestos waste in the dustbin. You can get rid of asbestos waste at Frizlands Lane Depot. Phone them on 020 8227 2617 to check that there is enough space in the special skip. We take part in a London-wide collection service of dangerous waste. The service will collect small amounts of asbestos waste free of charge. Phone 020 7332 3433 for more information

  Remember

  • Try not to create asbestos dust
  • Try not to breathe in asbestos dust
  • If you find asbestos material that is in good condition, leave it alone
  • If you think you may have products that contain asbestos in your home, contact the Business Support Team at the address shown for advice