DIYbanter - Asbestos in loft

In article , John
writes

"Rick Dipper" wrote in message
.. .
On 6 May 2004 08:07:41 -0700, (Philip) wrote:

Decided to clear out part of the loft, but I think I may have found
some asbestos pipe insulation up there.

It is in pieces around 18 inches long, and is semi-circular. So two
pieces would surround a pipe and stay put with tape. The inside of
the insulation appears to made of a white powdery substance.

Now I have seen it I dont plan to touch it, but does anyone know if
there is any assistance available for safe removal of this stuff?

Many thanks

Aspestos is fiberous, short thin sharp fibers that get stuck in your
lungs, but you should be able to see fibres, like when you rip paper.

The council will have a guy that can get rid of it, but it will cost.

Rick

Wear a respirator and disposable overalls, spray the section gently with
water to damp it which will stop any fibres floating around and carefully
bag it up in polythene. It will then be moveable with relative safety.
Obviously deal with it carefully and your council will tell you which
disposal site can take it off your hands.
Yes its potentially dangerous stuff but too many people get rabid about it.

And too many people also get Asbestosis with it.

The OELs are a load of horse manure also - one fibre in your lung is all
that is required.

Its also not always easy to see fibres in the stuff but there are many other
preformed insulation sections around which do not contain asbestos.

It won't be easy to see the fibres that have floated about into crevices
in the loft and elsewhere in the building either.
The professionals are pretty efficient at removing it and have special
vacuums, PPE etc. to remove it safely.
Kitsons sell the gear.

www.kitsonsinsulation.co.uk
http://www.sheffins.co.uk/

While you are there they can see to all your insulation needs.

Their trade counter system is a little odd though compared to trade
counters generally. One goes into an office in Kitsons (seems a bit
strange walking into a company's open plan office) then they
electronically send a document down to the Sheffield Insulations trade
counter (which has nothing on show - mind you it's all big stuff)
collect the ticket then go to the warehouse to collect. I suppose they
are more used to taking telephone orders and I have gone in at the very
end of the working day after I have finished work.

\rlly do consider getting it professionally removed if there has been
much disturbance in the loft or there is a draught or other factors
which could have sent the fibres airborne. I'll tell you the lung cancer
ward is not a pleasant place.
--
Z
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