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HOUSING SERVICES

Tel: 08450 450 051

Mon - Sat: 8.00am - 8.00pm (except Bank Holidays)
Fax: 01954 713148
Email: duty.housing@scambs.gov.uk

Address, directions & map

Asbestos Advice for tenants

There's been a lot of hype over the years concerning asbestos. It is a material which you may have in your home but it will not present a risk unless disturbed. Only by drilling or cutting asbestos are potentially harmful fibres released.

History

• 1983 - Asbestos spraying banned
• 1985 - Ban on new use of the two most harmful types (blue & brown)
• 1992 - The Asbestos (prohibitions) Regulations came into effect
• 1999 - No building materials contained asbestos material

If you live in a property built or refurbished in the 50s, 60s or 70s there is a possibility that building materials containing asbestos may have been used.

Over the last year the district council has been carefully inspecting its properties for the substance and has already checked over 20% of the 6,000 or so houses within its district.

Andy Newman, Principal Project Manager within the district council's Shire Homes team, said, "Most of the checks have been carried out while a property has been empty - often when we are carrying out refurbishments. We hope to complete all the checks by the end of 2003. We survey to see if any material contains asbestos and if so, ensure the right precautions are in place. It's not a risk unless the material is damaged, but we will remove and replace the material with an alternative to ensure there is no potential for risk in the future.

Where was asbestos used?

Asbestos was used in building materials principally to provide cheap thermal insulation and fire protection. It was also used as a filler material in a wide range of building products.
These include:

• Loose asbestos filling and sprayed asbestos;
• insulation boards used for fire protection;
• some ceiling and floor tiles;
• Asbestos cement products which can be compressed into flat or corrugated sheets. Often used for garage roofing and water tanks;
• Fascia boards;
• Old guttering and rainwater pipes.
  

What are the risks?

Breathing air containing asbestos fibres can lead to a range of diseases that are currently killing an estimated 3,000 people a year. There is often a long delay between first exposure and the onset of the disease. This can take anything from 15 to 60 years.

People who undertake maintenance work on a building are most at risk. Tasks such as rewiring, fitting alarm systems or drilling into panels can result in the release of asbestos fibres.

What do I do if I think I have asbestos in my home?

Remember that it is NOT a hazard unless damaged. If you are unsure if a material contains asbestos it may be safer to presume it does and do not tamper with it. It is quite safe unless damaged or worked on.

If you have a damaged area which you think may contain asbestos then contact housing services.

They will arrange for an inspection and possibly for a sample to be taken away to decide whether the material needs removing or protecting against further damage.