Asbestos
Having asbestos in your home is no reason to panic. It is only when materials containing asbestos are damaged or disturbed that asbestos becomes hazardous.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material. It is resistant to heat, electricity and chemical damage. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are versatile and were used extensively as building materials in the UK between the 1950s and 1980s.
Asbestos use was banned in 2000, but ACMs can still be found in many buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000.
Am I at risk?
The risk to you in your home is low.
Any asbestos materials in your home are likely to be in good condition and are unlikely to pose a significant risk to your health.
It is only when asbestos materials are damaged or disturbed that they become hazardous. If you carry out any DIY jobs such as sanding or drilling, you could potentially release asbestos fibres into the air which will then put you at risk.
The government advises that if asbestos materials are in good condition then it is safest to leave them where they are.
The asbestos register
We maintain an asbestos register that records the location and condition of ACMs or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos. The asbestos register is periodically reviewed and monitored.
We have an asbestos management plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed.
If asbestos-containing materials need to be sealed, encapsulated or removed, a licensed contractor will be used to carry out the works.
Advice and guidance
If an area known to contain asbestos materials is damaged, then we will either remove it or enclose the affected area so that it no longer poses a risk to your health.
If you think you may have damaged asbestos materials in your home do not attempt to clean it up yourself as specialist equipment is required – using a domestic vacuum cleaner can make the situation worse.
If you have any concerns regarding asbestos or if you think you may have disturbed asbestos materials in your home, please contact us at buildingsafety@ealing.gov.uk