Is this asbestos?

[Minimonkeysmum]

We've just spotted this under our stairs, and slightly concerned that it could be some kind of asbestos sheet. Is anyone able to shed any light, please?!

It does look v much like asbestos sheeting.
Don’t poke at it, or try and remove it. It is disturbing it that is the danger, you will need it professionally removed if it is asbestos, so you need to get someone in to check.

😫 don't worry - we won't! But we've been here for several years without clocking it, so the damage may have already been done!

How old is your house? And have you checked your original survey?

I think you'd be at very low risk of harm if it is asbestos and has never been disturbed. It's the fibres released on removing it that are harmful o think.

1930s, but would guess this was added later. No note of it being asbestos or otherwise in the survey, which i can't work out if is reassuring or not!

@HalloHello

I think you'd be at very low risk of harm if it is asbestos and has never been disturbed. It's the fibres released on removing it that are harmful o think.

Realistically, I know this is the case, but we use the cupboard and bump that bit of the ceiling all the time...!

Broadly speaking there are three types of asbestos and it was commonly used in private homes before the 1990s. I can’t recall the exact dates but it was eventually made illegal to use.
I would suggest getting it tested - this cost us around £100 for two locations and you will then know. You can either leave it and not disturb it, checking for damage every so often, or have it removed or encapsulated. It costs us £400 to have removed and replaced.

It looks like plasterboard to me but the best way to be certain is to take a tiny sample and send it for testing. There are companies online who will do or for around £20. Then you need to tape up any exposed edges or damaged bits (anything which is white) as that is where the fibres might get loose. Just some duct tape will be fine.

As pp said, looks like plasterboard.

My initial thought was plasterboard. That said, the edge is rather rough and plasterboard usually cuts pretty cleanly. If you want to be sure, get it tested.

Looks like very old plasterboard.

Having looked again after reading the later posts I agree it could be plasterboard, looking at the edge of it where there seem to be layers, I had missed that on first glance.
OP it is hard to see but does it look like whiteish, chalky stuff sandwiched between what would look like two layers of cardboard ? If so it is plasterboard. If it looks like it is a sheet of all one substance that might have a very faint shimmer, then I think it will be asbestos

Thank you so much for all the advice - we asked an asbestos expert who says it's old plasterboard! Phew! (Apparently you can see the fibres in asbestos, and the paper is usually seen on plasterboard)

That’s a relief OP, good news.