Would you go to someone's house if they'd just had asbestos removed?

[Cheesemachine]

Hello, I'm hoping for some opinions. I'm due to visit an old uni friend's this weekend with my family and I discovered last night via a text exchange that they've just had some asbestos removed in the entrance to their house (apparently the ceiling there was asbestos insulation board). They've had it all done by a professional firm which and cost ££££ but since then I've wondered if I should really take my children there in case there is any danger - it's my understanding that they can't get rid of literally ever single fibre that may have been released in the removal process.

A couple of other friends are due to go too with their families and having spoken to one of them she is not concerned and thinks I'm being a bit OTT in considering not going. But is it worth the risk? And friend who's house it is also believes it to be completely safe (although she's not really going to think otherwise is she!)

We've not all got together for years and pinning a date down is always difficult so it would probably mean not seeing them all together for a long time.

Thanks for reading and I would be grateful of your opinions

I'd still go. To be honest it wouldn't have even crossed my mind if it's been removed professionally.

Ott. It is unlikely to have been the most dangerous kind and presumably you have visited while it was on situ.

Yes, you’re being OTT. If they’d ripped it out themselves you’d have a point, but it’s been done professionally therefore not a concern.

Hm... I'd be less concerned if the asbestos was still in there undisturbed, surrounded by wallpaper etc seeing as the release of the fiber is what's actually dangerous. :/

I honestly don't know. I would assume that the professionals did a good job / didn't create any health hazards but I'd also be a bit worried.

I think I'd call a specialised firm for at least a quick opinion... (I personally wouldn't feel comfortable making that decision / just don't know enough about the process etc).

If it has been professionally removed they will have air tested and there are reams of rules about the process. I'm sure it's absolutely fine.

The building I work in has asbestos in it but sealed away. It's apparently safe for us and members of the public. If it's been professionally done it should be fine.

Yes, they have to carry out tests as part of the removal process, so the risk will be as low as it can be.

I lived in a house that had an asbestos flue removed when the boiler was replaced. It was done by professionals, it never crossed my mind to be worried.

Well yeah, it’s OTT because the asbestos isn’t there anymore so there’s no risk, that’s why she got it removed presumably?

Companies that remove asbestos are hired to remove the asbestos and leave no trace.

I’d go. It also wouldn’t occur to me not to.

I would have no concerns if it's been done correctly by a professional firm and I am a property professional who has dealt with asbestos removal dozens of times. There is probably as much risk breathing in fibres from damaged asbestos in buildings day to day that isn't being managed properly and you don't realise it's there.

Asbestosis is horrendous but I think you and your family would be quite safe.

Thank you for the replies. It didn't initially occur to me it was only after that I started to think about it.

One poster mentioned being at the house before; this is actually the first time we have visited as it's a new (to her, not actually new) house and they are going to be doing some renovations which this has obviously been part of.

Good to know most people wouldn't think twice though!

You are right to question it. It sounds like your friend is quite sensible and knows that it needed dealing with professionally and if she's paid a fortune for it that's a good indicator that it's been done properly as it's an expensive process.

I know of plenty of people, usually farmers, who are happy to dig a big pit and deal with it themselves to save the money - those are the places to be worried about!

@househunthappening really???? That's worrying

No but then I have just lost my dad to mesothelioma, he worked with asbestos aged 16 and died this year at the age of 78.

My reaction to it is completely OTT though and the rational part of me knows it is most likely ok.

Probably irrationally I'd leave it a bit before going in case there had been any failure in the removal and there were spare fibres floating around.

I'd give it a few months for everything to settle down.

Mesothelioma is a nasty way to die.

I had asbestos removed from my house before moving in and work in an offfice from which asbestos was removed just before I started.
Didn't occur to me to worry about it.

@Cheesemachine I couldn't agree more! Sadly the cost of removing it properly makes it too tempting for some people. Have come across is fly tipped as well which is probably even worse.

Well they are currently removing it in my office, it's taking a month as there is so much and we are not being moved anywhere during or after so I guess it must be fine.

Massively OTT. If it's asbestos insulation board, and been professionally removed, they will have had clearance certificates provided by an independent analyst. You could ask to see them and forever be considered batshit by your friend for reassurance that the work was done properly.... But would you know how to read the results?

@Haberpop I'm sorry to hear that. What was your dad's job? We also have also lost someone to the disease in my family probably why I am concerned

@SilverHairedCat that's actually quite a good idea and I don't mind being thought of as batshit either!

At the time he was an apprentice in a shipyard, he didn't work with it for very long before moving to an office based role but the short exposure he had seems to have been enough. I think watching someone suffer that way really heightens your awareness of it, sorry for your loss too.

www.quora.com/A-professional-is-removing-asbestos-in-a-house-How-safe-is-it-for-my-teenager-to-visit-that-house-overnight

Thanks for the link @Pinkandyellowandgreen I had actually seen that when searching for information. I'm more after people's personal opinions and thoughts on it in this instance. I'm not sure if I'm being irrational in considering not going and missing out on a nice day with friends...