How concerned would you be if you thought you had exposed asbestos in your living room?

[rickman]

That's it really!

We had an independant surveyor come round and take a sample, then he sent it off and rang us with the results. That cost £50.00. Not suggesting at all that you do that, just showing you how much it will (approx) cost the HA and that your childrens life are worth more.

Give them shit they should be providing better housing than that.

We had to have an asbestos check and certificate issued at the building where I rent out a flat. This is a privately owned building. I would have thought the housing association would have to do the same. I would be very concerned if it was me and insist that they get someone to come an look. Or, could you call out someone if they don't and bill them? It should be a prioroty for the HA.

I spoke to the Technical Officer from the HA again this afternoon, he said they agreed to send out a specialist to do a check of my property. They are coming on Thursday morning.

I've just got this hideous sick feeling though that I can't get rid of, I've been really short tempered with the kids today because I'm so worried. What if it is asbestos, what have I done to them? :(

Don't panic - wait till you know the facts.
The person that comes round should give you advice on what to do next. As soon as you knew about the potential problem, you acted - there wasn't much more you could have done as you didn't know about the problem.

The stuff has been chipped off for a couple of months now, I could have done something earlier but I hadn't. Totally kicking myself now.

As well as taking samples of the coating material, they may be able to do air sampling & see if there are any fibres loose in the air. It's the airborne fibres that are hazrdous if they are breathed in.

It seems it probably is asbestos, probably amosite. I have to wait for the results to come back, but if it is, it will all have to be removed. I have 3 of these posts in my living room and 2 upstairs in bedrooms. God only knows what will happen, I assume it will take a while, in which case where will we go.

He told me not to worry too much about the health aspect at the moment but if it gets damaged any further, to let him know and they will come and do something to it. At the moment it is covered up with sellotape and bin liners. It is notifiable to the HSE, so it will be 14 days before anything can be done anyway. Guess I'm going to have to live with it for now. :(

We are having it removed from out double garage ceiling and it is going to take 3/4 days and we have to remove everything as it is done under controlled conditions. They are setting up and encapsual unit on the drive with shower etc as it is removed when wearing full suits and masks etc.

Then an independent blokey comes to check they have done it properly and it has all gone.

Just to give you an idea of what it entails.

not at all. only dangerous when released as particles.