To be worried SICK.

[Stressedafff]

Lived in my property for 2 years. Housing association. Built 1960’s -1970’s

Asbestos ceiling. There are small holes in the ceiling in hallway and living room. Could this be asbestos exposure? Is it dangerous? I’ve had the holes a while. HA are sending a plasterer on 13th to come and check it. But I’m so so anxious about possible asbestos exposure. Any advice or knowledge appreciated?

First, are you sure it’s asbestos?
If it is I’d phone Shelter as they seem to be the best authority on housing problems. You could ask if you can be moved out at HA’s expense while your house is repaired , or could you ask to be rehoused.
Also phone Council Environmental Health, I’m not sure if a bog standard plasterer can repair asbestos or if HA need a specialist.

Yeah it’s on my tenancy forms that it is asbestos

You contact your local environmental health department. They'll make sure that it's safe for you to stay in the property until it's sorted out. It will be a category in your local council website.

A hole is ok, you won't suffer asbestos exposure, unless you start sniffing it, pulling it down or apart, causing particles to move around in the air.

Many buildings still have asbestos, untouched it's fine.

Just don't go drilling into it, sanding it down, breaking it apart or sniffing it. The plasterer will probably just plaster over it to seal it in.

Just remember that we (I'm 55) lived with asbestos. My uncle died from working with it, but they were riping it out etc with no safety equipment and breathing in the dust etc. It was in our homes, schools etc.

I have health anxiety I’m sorry I sound so damn neurotic 🤦🏻‍♀️
There are several holes in the walls and ceiling splits so I’m just sick with worry. It seems to be natural wear and tear so I’m unsure whether that’s the same risk? I’ve not disturbed it or known it to be physically disturbed so will there be dust etc? Feel sick with worry

Ahh OP I understand, don't worry, well try not to. I know it's hard with anxiety.

Those who did suffer asbestos poisoning/exposure were literally spending all day, all week, breaking it apart, manufacturing it, sanding it down, covered in asbestos dust, inhaling large volumes of it.

A crack and hole, that you aren't actively poking and disturbing it will be fine.

Honestly please don't worry! It's only a problem if the dust gets wafted about (ie when it's being pulled up and removed!)
Lying dormant it's a non-issue. You're okay!

I have this question asked to me many times a day.

The type of crysolite asbestos that tends to be in the artex from that time.

It's in very small quantities so poses a minimal if any risk.

If it's in situ and not being disturbed it'll be fine.

It can be encapsulated to stop any further issues.

Please try not to worry

It’ll be ok if undisturbed! Hugs, know what health anxiety is like. You will be fine xx

Our ceiling fell down (bathroom leak) and it was found we had asbestos.
We were sent to live in a hotel for 10 days while the insurers brought in a special team to make it safe/repair/remove.

But that's because we had a huge gaping hole and a lot of debris fell down. And we were assured we were not at risk, so please don't panic!

There's asbestos in a lot of places OP. Just don't start fanning yourself with it or something, and keep nagging them till they sort it out.

People mainly only got issues from working with it.