Asbestos understandably causes concern, but with the right working methods the risks can be kept to a minimum. The important thing is to understand when asbestos is dangerous and when it poses no immediate threat. This article looks at asbestos safety in practical terms.
When is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos is dangerous when asbestos fibres are released into the air you breathe. That typically happens when the material is stripped out, drilled, sanded or otherwise worked mechanically. Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing material poses no acute danger - the fibres are bound into the material and do not escape into the air.
This matters, for example, to people living in an old house who wonder whether the wall filler or the floor adhesive is a danger in everyday life. The answer is usually no, as long as the materials are not broken or disturbed.
Preventing the spread of dust
When taking a sample, a few simple measures will keep the dust down. Prise the sample off gently, without hammering, drilling or sanding - that way no fibres are released into the air.
Shut off the ventilation in the room while you take the sample, so that any dust does not travel to other rooms. Afterwards, wipe the area with a damp cloth and put the cloth in a waste bag. Do not use an ordinary vacuum cleaner, as it can blow asbestos fibres back into the air.
Personal protection
When taking a sample you should wear a respirator of at least FFP3 class, which filters fine particles effectively. Protective gloves prevent skin contact with the material. This basic equipment is perfectly adequate for taking a single sample, where exposure is brief and low.
Actual asbestos removal work calls for far more extensive precautions, such as sealed containment, negative pressure and specialist protective clothing. Only an authorised asbestos removal company may carry out that work. Sampling, however, is a different matter from removal work, and you can do it safely with basic protective equipment.
The right order of steps
In situations involving asbestos, the right order of steps is as follows. First, assess whether the material may contain asbestos (age, type). Second, take a sample safely or order an asbestos survey. Third, send the sample to the laboratory and wait for the results. Fourth, act on the results - if asbestos is found, contact an asbestos removal company.
This sequence makes sure that nobody is exposed needlessly. Rushing in and starting removal work without knowing what the materials contain is the single biggest mistake made in situations involving asbestos.
Living with suspected asbestos
Many people worry when they hear that there may be asbestos in the fabric of their home. It is worth remembering, though, that intact asbestos material inside a wall, under a floor or behind a tile poses no health risk in normal everyday living. The risk arises only when the material is disturbed or stripped out.
If you suspect asbestos and no renovation is imminent, you can carry on living at home as normal. When a renovation does come round, find out what the materials are beforehand. That way you can live in peace and prepare for the work properly.
Safety in summary
Working around asbestos is safe when you follow the basic principles: do not break or disturb the material without knowing what it is, wear protective equipment, and leave the actual removal work to professionals. That keeps the risks to a minimum and lets you get on safely with your renovation or with identifying the material.