OMG I did not know this!!!! Did you?

[Treegle]

I've just discovered that it's possible for artex to contain asbestos!! I never knew this! And my dad worked as a painter and decorator for many years!! Is this common knowledge?!!!

@Staycalmandscream it’s just as Treegle says so try not to worry.

IF parts of you house contain asbestos (as most do if built before the 80s) as long as you don’t mess with it there is no risk whatsoever.

Now if the artex ceiling that was broken still has exposed bits, then it’s as well to get it tested. At the same time you could take samples from other places that you might be planning to redecorate at some point to get tested too.

Btw if anyone cleans up anything containing asbestos it’s better to mop as with hoovering specialist hoovers with HEPA filters are needed.

I’m not touting for business (no benefit to me anyway) but find an actual asbestos testing lab, not asbestos clearance as you don’t want to be paying for any middle men. Ask how long before you get the results and, if far, you can post them in (suitably double bagged). They should also be able to email you a form to enclose with the samples.

over50 do you work in this area?

Thanks for your words, and treegal. I rang Dyson this afternoon & my model has a hepa filter build in. So that's something positive. Only surprise is the washable one isn't the hepa one, as that's built into the machine & can't be accessed. So in theiry there could potentially be asbestos sat on the filter & no way of dealing with it.

Dyson did a sales pitch on hepa air purifiers. I might look at those if we got a positive test depending what the next course of action would be. Dyson call handler told me they'd take out asbestos particles.

We have so much clutter genuine dusting is a difficult task but I'm going over what I can with wet wipes. And leaving doors / windows open.

Staycalm, yes I did mention upthread that I work in an asbestos testing lab, how it operates, advice on general cost etc. However I don’t do the actual testing.

As far as hoovers go, we have a special one which is used only in the lab. Although Dyson hoovers had HEPA filters I’m sure sure they would be as effective...see here: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em4.pdf

Interesting what you say on Dyson air purifiers...I might ask my boss!

If you find a lab, give them a call and they should be able to advise on what to do

If you’re a history enthusiast, just remember not to wear gas masks etc as asbestos was in some WW2 masks and also some WW1 helmets. The risk is low, but schools etc are advised not to have them in class displays any longer.

Just seen this thread and now worried. We have a 1965 house. Have recently had a loft conversion, the ceiling in our bedroom was pulled down and left like it for weeks then plastered over, then had ceiling in all bedrooms landing hall and living room replastered. All were Artex. The living room and upstairs has pointy bits, plasterer glued the ceiling then scraped pointy bits off then skimmed over. How much danger are we in if breathing in asbestos fibres for years on end? None of the tradesmen mentioned asbestos or wore masks. I had no idea