Asbestos
What is asbestos?
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.
Where has it been used?
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.
Is all asbestos dangerous?
The fibres themselves are always potentially harmful to health, and can cause serious, sometimes fatal, diseases including asbestosis and mesothelioma. However, not all materials that contain asbestos will release fibres - it depends on their condition and location. The fibres are usually released into the air when asbestos products are incorrectly handled, stored or transported for disposal.
Does all asbestos need to be removed?
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 the Health and Safety Executive on 0845 345 0055.
What are the legal requirements?
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.
Does the Council collect asbestos?
Unfortunately due to problems with its disposal the Council does not have a service for the collection of Asbestos from household properties.
Where can asbestos be disposed of?
If it is waste from a domestic property, it can be taken to one of the Council's civic amenity sites at either Rocky Road, Penydarren or The Grove, Aberfan. The householder should contact the site by telephone first to arrange a time to go there, and the waste must be double-bagged.
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 - see Yellow Pages.