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You are here: Home Page > Environment and Planning > Pollution > Pollution control asbestos

 

 

This advice is intended for businesses/organisations and domestic householders. Asbestos cannot be re-used or recycled under any circumstances, this is governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

 

 

It is a naturally mined mineral used because it has properties of heat and chemical resistance, great strength and is almost indestructible. There are several different types (commonly known as white, blue and brown) but being aware of the type makes little practical difference.

 

 

Buildings constructed from the 1950's to the late 1970's are likely to contain asbestos although it may not be obvious. Although asbestos is no longer used in building materials, it was only phased out relatively recently and some materials were manufactured using asbestos as late as 1999. It can be found in corrugated cement roofs, panels in walls and ceilings, in fire doors, roofing felts, floor tiles and textured decorative coatings. Another very common location is in boiler rooms, either as lagging or in the structure of the room.

 

The fibres themselves are always potentially harmful to health and can cause serious, sometimes fatal, diseases. However, not all materials that contain asbestos will release fibres - it depends on their condition and location.

 

 

No, in fact this can often create more problems. If the material is in an undamaged condition, or is enclosed/encapsulated in some way, it is usually safer to leave it alone. Those in charge of business premises are required to note where it is (or mark it with a label) so that precautions can be taken if work needs to be done that might disturb it. Some types of asbestos have to be removed by licensed contractors and some - such as corrugated cement roofs - do not, although work must be carried out in a safe manner.

 

For further advice on this, contact Health and Environment on 01653 600666 ext. 359.

 

 

Householders do not have any legal duty other than to dispose of any asbestos safely, but businesses and organisations now have to take steps to identify the asbestos in their premises.This would usually be done by means of a survey, but it does not always have to involve samples being taken.The business is then required to manage any asbestos so that it does not become a problem and may need to arrange removal of any that is causing a hazard.

 

 

If it is waste from a domestic property, yes. The householder should contact the recycling centre by telephone first to arrange a time to go there and the waste must be dampened, double-bagged or wrapped in two layers of thick plastic. Any joints or openings must be securely sealed with strong tape. Residents wishing to deliver more than 10 sheets of cement bonded asbestos (approx size 1.8M x 1.2M per sheet) or equivalent must contact the centre, to ensure space is available in the skip. Please note that if your material is not securely wrapped in this manner, you will be refused permission to dispose of the material and will have to remove it from the site.

 

Asbestos waste from any business or trade must be disposed of at a licensed asbestos site - there are very few of these in the UK so the best course of action is to contact a licensed asbestos removal/disposal contractor.

 

For further information regarding asbestos disposal please contact Streetscene on 01653 600666 ext. 485.