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Original poster

Ocd contamination fears

27 replies

Nikki360 · 20/04/2024 23:02

I have ocd which can be severe. I have health anxiety as well. I take medication and have had cbt etc to try to help with it. This week however I’ve had a horrible week. We have old railway sleepers in the garden. We didn’t put them in. I read few years ago that they gave creosote in them which was banned in 2003 as it’s harmful. I was trying to be rational about that until I saw this week that they can contain asbestos from the trains brake dust. I’m absolutely petrified and have been in a terrible state not sleeping. Could anyone help with any advice or experience ? Thankyou

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 20/04/2024 23:16

There are companies that can come do an asbestos survey. We had to do that when we were selling my late MIL's house. Just google asbestos survey and see if there is someone local.

I had no idea that creosote was banned. I used to love the smell of it.

WhatAreYouOnAbout · 20/04/2024 23:18

Why would you start out labeling yourself as ocd, there is a real risk and you’re curious.

Elieza · 20/04/2024 23:18

You know that they must be older than 2003 if creosote was banned then.

So they have been outside in all weathers for over 20 years since any brake dust was on them.

That's a long time.
Inclined to think anything bad will have been blown away or washed off and you need not worry.

Original poster
Nikki360 · 20/04/2024 23:26

RampantIvy · 20/04/2024 23:16

There are companies that can come do an asbestos survey. We had to do that when we were selling my late MIL's house. Just google asbestos survey and see if there is someone local.

I had no idea that creosote was banned. I used to love the smell of it.

Thankyou I was actually thinking of doing that just so I know xx

OP posts:
Redherringgull · 20/04/2024 23:30

Railway sleepers don't necessarily come from railways. I have some in my garden which are just massive pieces of timber, labelled as railway sleepers.

By all means get an asbestos survey though, and let us know what they find.

Original poster
Nikki360 · 20/04/2024 23:30

WhatAreYouOnAbout · 20/04/2024 23:18

Why would you start out labeling yourself as ocd, there is a real risk and you’re curious.

Edited

I just get embarrassed as I’m aware some people would think I was overreacting etc but it’s the ocd that causes my fears xx

OP posts:
LazyDaysy · 20/04/2024 23:31

WhatAreYouOnAbout · 20/04/2024 23:18

Why would you start out labeling yourself as ocd, there is a real risk and you’re curious.

Edited

She isn’t labelling herself, she has said she has got OCD and takes medication for it. It’s a real thing. OP I understand in the moment it’s really scary but you will be ok xx you really will

Original poster
Nikki360 · 20/04/2024 23:33

Elieza · 20/04/2024 23:18

You know that they must be older than 2003 if creosote was banned then.

So they have been outside in all weathers for over 20 years since any brake dust was on them.

That's a long time.
Inclined to think anything bad will have been blown away or washed off and you need not worry.

Yes I think they must be. However you can still buy used railway sleepers today as long as you don’t use them for a raised bed that contains vegetables etc or furniture or children’s area. That’s why I’m thinking I’m overreacting as surely if there was real risk from asbestos they couldn’t sell them?

OP posts:
WhatAreYouOnAbout · 20/04/2024 23:35

Nikki360 · 20/04/2024 23:30

I just get embarrassed as I’m aware some people would think I was overreacting etc but it’s the ocd that causes my fears xx

Show quote history

I think you should have more faith in yourself and your judgement. If it’s real for you, truly, why would you hand validation of that to another?When You know you know . Trust your self a while.. maybe you were not encouraged to in the past but do and you’ll start trusting yourself more 🤍

DearAnt · 20/04/2024 23:37

WhatAreYouOnAbout · 20/04/2024 23:35

I think you should have more faith in yourself and your judgement. If it’s real for you, truly, why would you hand validation of that to another?When You know you know . Trust your self a while.. maybe you were not encouraged to in the past but do and you’ll start trusting yourself more 🤍

Edited
Show quote history

Although you’re trying to be kind, this isn’t very good advice for someone with OCD.

OP, I think the risk of asbestos exposure comes from if you’re using old sleepers as firewood.

WhatAreYouOnAbout · 21/04/2024 00:10

DearAnt · 20/04/2024 23:37

Although you’re trying to be kind, this isn’t very good advice for someone with OCD.

OP, I think the risk of asbestos exposure comes from if you’re using old sleepers as firewood.

Show quote history

You think?

BlueThursday · 21/04/2024 00:13

I think the only thing that will set your mind at rest is to have a survey so if you’re in a position to do that I would

EmilyTjP · 21/04/2024 00:16

WhatAreYouOnAbout · 20/04/2024 23:35

I think you should have more faith in yourself and your judgement. If it’s real for you, truly, why would you hand validation of that to another?When You know you know . Trust your self a while.. maybe you were not encouraged to in the past but do and you’ll start trusting yourself more 🤍

Edited
Show quote history

I don’t think that’s wise advice!
OP needs help to see things rationally to prevent her mental health deteriorating further. Not be told to trust her judgment.

Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 00:35

Redherringgull · 20/04/2024 23:30

Railway sleepers don't necessarily come from railways. I have some in my garden which are just massive pieces of timber, labelled as railway sleepers.

By all means get an asbestos survey though, and let us know what they find.

I'm hoping they are not actual railway sleepers although they have metal bits round the ends of them which maybe suggests they are? Im not sure. Thankyou

OP posts:
Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 00:36

WhatAreYouOnAbout · 20/04/2024 23:35

I think you should have more faith in yourself and your judgement. If it’s real for you, truly, why would you hand validation of that to another?When You know you know . Trust your self a while.. maybe you were not encouraged to in the past but do and you’ll start trusting yourself more 🤍

Edited
Show quote history

Thankyou I appreciate that xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 00:38

BlueThursday · 21/04/2024 00:13

I think the only thing that will set your mind at rest is to have a survey so if you’re in a position to do that I would

Yes I think so I will call some places that do this. I did manage to rationalise the creosote but when I saw asbestos I just panicked.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 00:40

DearAnt · 20/04/2024 23:37

Although you’re trying to be kind, this isn’t very good advice for someone with OCD.

OP, I think the risk of asbestos exposure comes from if you’re using old sleepers as firewood.

Show quote history

I did read that as well and that did help but parts of them are flaking off and I’ve swept up bits of them so that’s what made me worry, as that is disturbing the asbestos I think ?

OP posts:
Elieza · 21/04/2024 09:25

Do they have holes in them where the metal clips to hold the rails would go? That could help you decide if they are from a railway or not? If not I'd think they would be ok as the brake dust wouldn't have settled in them as they weren't used on rails. Perhaps to shore up the grass slopes at the side of tunnels or piled up with a water tower on top or something.

And like all dust I do think it would have blown away anyway in 20 years. Certainly if not even used near train brakes initially so that sounds ok.

With regard to not using sleepers for food production in raised beds, the same rule applies to using car tyres to make raises beds.

We are told to grow flowers in them only. Yet presumably you have a car or neighbours have a car and you walk past or go in yours or in a bus regularly without a second thought.

That's because it's not harmful unless used for food, (because it's the action of the leaching of the chemicals into the soil which the plants then grow in that could potentially cause heath issues, although I've never actually heard anyone falling ill due to eating potatoes grown in a tyre planter) and they are quite safe to walk past as the chemical do not leach via air.

I don't want to raise your fears about traffic. I'm trying to reassure that it's only food production from things that are totally safe that can cause concerns. Not every day walking when outside.

Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 09:44

Thankyou for replying. I can’t see holes although they have metal clips. I haven’t been this bad in ages I’m absolutely petrified I’ve put everyone in danger. I keep thinking well they still sell them ? Surely if asbestos was a problem they wouldn’t. Then I’ve tried to find out when they stopped using asbestos in brake pads on trains. I’ve had another horrible night barely sleeping. I understand the traffic point and that does make sense to me. Thankyou for replying I so appreciate it xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 09:46

This is one of them x

Ocd contamination fears
OP posts:
Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 09:47

Some other ones x

Ocd contamination fears
Ocd contamination fears
OP posts:
Elieza · 21/04/2024 13:13

The top one looks like a railway sleeper. Not sure what the metal banded ones are. Not sleepers anyway. Perhaps part of sheep or cattle pens for when they were transported live in cattle trucks or something?

With regard to asbestos in brake pads, it used to be in all cars too.

It was banned because employees servicing vehicles could breath it in, as far as I know.

Not because passers by or passengers could. Maintenance staff whose heads were right over the area banging it with hammers or disturbing the dust in a confined area. Which as you know is a risk to their long term health.

So working through what you've said and what we've gleaned so far:

A) you know these things are old because if your creosote research and there is no dust on them now because for twenty years the wind and rain has blown it away

B) you know that dangerous things can't be sold as people would sue for compensation so it must be safe or it wouldn't be sold.

C) cars - including classic cars (which had asbestos brakes in the past) are still serviced in garages and if there was a risk they wouldn't be or it would be fine with full hazmat suits and breathing apparatus. So it's fine to be around something that used to be next to brakes made of asbestos as long as they aren't there now.

D) you do not intend to sniff them, lick them or grow veg in them so they should be safe for looking at and being around as they are outside

E) tests are available if you still want peace of mind. Although this could be expensive, I don't know and honestly I think they would be surprised at your concerns as prob not many people would think of health issues and possibly even put your mind at rest over the phone without having to check - depending on how greedy the company is!

F) why not just get them removed by a garden company. They've probably done this before and won't even cross their minds about the asbestos as they are in the fresh air and wouldn't feel it risky the way you do.

Talking of which, remember we were all safe from covid outdoors because the wind blows things away, perhaps that's something else to consider for reassurance?

Just decide on a course of action and proceed as you need your sleep! Personally I wouldn't worry at all about it. Just saying so you know I'm not agreeing with your feelings I'm trying to go through a rational and evidential process to allay them.

Rainydayinlondon · 21/04/2024 13:37

I think with asbestos there’s a huge amount of fear mongering on the lines that one speck of asbestos dust can lead to cancer. This might well be true, but it’s presumably very rare as otherwise no one would have survived the 1950s and 60s when it was on every ironing board. The people who sadly suffered tended to work in eg the shipping industry when they were machining asbestos boards on a daily basis and were often covered in the stuff.
I still think it’s dangerous if it’s in the house though….
i know that’s not much help to the OP …

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/04/2024 13:45

I think this is anxiety rather than a rational fear tbh.

You haven't put anyone in danger, they've been in the ground for years and everyone is fine.

If you don't like them, then get them removed but you're catastrophising and feeding your anxiety which isn't helpful.

Original poster
Nikki360 · 21/04/2024 19:39

Elieza · 21/04/2024 13:13

The top one looks like a railway sleeper. Not sure what the metal banded ones are. Not sleepers anyway. Perhaps part of sheep or cattle pens for when they were transported live in cattle trucks or something?

With regard to asbestos in brake pads, it used to be in all cars too.

It was banned because employees servicing vehicles could breath it in, as far as I know.

Not because passers by or passengers could. Maintenance staff whose heads were right over the area banging it with hammers or disturbing the dust in a confined area. Which as you know is a risk to their long term health.

So working through what you've said and what we've gleaned so far:

A) you know these things are old because if your creosote research and there is no dust on them now because for twenty years the wind and rain has blown it away

B) you know that dangerous things can't be sold as people would sue for compensation so it must be safe or it wouldn't be sold.

C) cars - including classic cars (which had asbestos brakes in the past) are still serviced in garages and if there was a risk they wouldn't be or it would be fine with full hazmat suits and breathing apparatus. So it's fine to be around something that used to be next to brakes made of asbestos as long as they aren't there now.

D) you do not intend to sniff them, lick them or grow veg in them so they should be safe for looking at and being around as they are outside

E) tests are available if you still want peace of mind. Although this could be expensive, I don't know and honestly I think they would be surprised at your concerns as prob not many people would think of health issues and possibly even put your mind at rest over the phone without having to check - depending on how greedy the company is!

F) why not just get them removed by a garden company. They've probably done this before and won't even cross their minds about the asbestos as they are in the fresh air and wouldn't feel it risky the way you do.

Talking of which, remember we were all safe from covid outdoors because the wind blows things away, perhaps that's something else to consider for reassurance?

Just decide on a course of action and proceed as you need your sleep! Personally I wouldn't worry at all about it. Just saying so you know I'm not agreeing with your feelings I'm trying to go through a rational and evidential process to allay them.

Thankyou for such a lovely reply and taking the time to go through everything. I really appreciate it so much. It’s really helped and seeing it all written down like that helps so much. Yes l need to move on or get them tested or get them removed. I do need to get some sleep. Thankyou again you really have helped me xx

OP posts: