Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of many small fibres. It is mined from rock and milled into fibres from which a wide range of materials were produced.

Asbestos fibres are strong and resistant to heat and chemicals. This led to their widespread use in a wide range of building materials and products, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. Asbestos was often used as fireproofing but also as a general building material.

Exterior

1) Roof garage and shed sheets, tiles or roof felt

2) Gutters and down pipes

3) Fascia

Interior

4) Partition walls

5) Panels beneath windows

6) Cupboards around domestic boilers

7) Panels behind electrical equipment

8) Panels behind fires or heaters

9) Panels on or inside fire doors

10) Bath panels

11) Floor titles

12) Textures coatings (artex)

13) Gaskets and rope seals inside gas appliances

14) Cold water storage tank

Although asbestos is a hazardous material, it can only pose a risk to health if the asbestos fibres become airborne. These fibres can be breathed deep into the lung causing possible damage. The most common diseases associated with asbestos exposure are asbestosis, lung cancer and another cancer called mesothelioma. Many workers with high exposures have died from these cancers.



Asbestos materials pose little risk unless they are disturbed in some way that allows the fibres to be released into the atmosphere. This will occur if the asbestos-containing material is drilled, sanded, cut or broken up but could also occur at if it is in poor and damaged condition and liable to disturbance.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirms that there is a very low level of fibres in the air everywhere because asbestos has been used extensively in the past. Exposure to this low level of fibres is unlikely to harm people's health.



Levels of fibres may be higher in buildings containing asbestos materials, especially where the materials are disturbed. It is very unlikely that the levels of asbestos fibres found in buildings will be harmful, but if you have damaged asbestos materials in your home you should seek advice on appropriate action to take. Contact your local estate office for advice.



Any repairs or major works undertaken in tenant's homes by CitWest Homes appointed contractors would include a risk assessment to check whether they are likely to disturb asbestos. Where asbestos is found to be damaged or may be disturbed,  it will be managed safely either by encapsulation or removal by specialist contractors.



High, short-term exposures to asbestos fibres can occur during 'Do It Yourself' DIY work.

The HSE website provides more information on asbestos.