Aaargh ASBESTOS in neighbour's garden. How bad is this?

[Flexoset]

We just moved house and today I was having a look round the garden.

One of our neighbours has got a lot of old corrugated roofing panels propped up in between the side of their garage and our boundary fence. Obviously I can't be certain that they contain asbestos, but they don't half look like it (I've seen asbestos roofing panels before). They are old and manky and not in great shape.

So... how bad is this? (Assuming that they are indeed asbestos.) Is it fine to leave them there mouldering away? Should I ask my neighbour about disposing of them? The neighbours are nice and have lived there for donkeys' years apparently, and obviously I want to stay on their good side. They are elderly and may see asbestos as more 'normal' than I do. (Also I suspect they've forgotten the panels are there.) Getting rid of the panels might be expensive (you need a sealed skip if I remember correctly), but to be honest we would be prepared to pay for it if it removed a hazard from next to our kids' playing area.

Does anyone know what we ought to do, please?

It wouldn't worry me tbh. It's outside so you're not stuck in a room with it , breathing it in.

I'd be offering to get rid of the panels for them, absolutely no doubt. I find the idea that they are simply outside so not a problem really outrageous, unless anyone is happy for any fibres to drift around the neighbourhood getting into the lungs of young and old alike, with the very real risk that they die in one of the worst ways possible in 20 to 40 years time. Act now! Get in touch with a specialist removal firm, this is not the time for a bodge job, not least for the people who may be exposed if they are not specialists.

Asbestos is only harmful in it dust form, so when it is broken up, drilled into etc. They wont cause any harm as long as they aren't disturbed.

I understand that they may cause dome anxiety and it Would be better if they were disposed of.

Maybe ask your local environmental health department what their advice would be ?

Thank you, everyone - this is really helpful. Will look into the environmental health advice.