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Hazardous and Toxic Substances

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Types of asbestos

Asbestos comes in several forms. Most commonly it is found in asbestos cement tiles, typically used in the construction of garages or garden sheds. In this form the asbestos fibres are bonded into the cement, and provided that the tiles are undamaged, they present a low risk to public health. Common locations of asbestos cement are:

  • Asbestos cement on garage or shed roofs
  • Asbestos cement shed and garage wall panels
  • Asbestos cement drain pipes
  • Asbestos cement or Insulation board soffit, infill panels and partitions
  • Asbestos cement on the side of bath panels

Of greater risk is sprayed asbestos, typically used to lag a boiler or to act as an insulating material. Members of the general public should not attempt to handle sprayed asbestos.

Handling

We strongly recommend that if you wish to work with or remove asbestos you use a company that is experienced in dealing use asbestos. However, please be aware that:

  • The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, amended in 1998, require companies to be licensed to carry out work with all asbestos except asbestos cement
  • The Special Waste Regulations 1996 require all asbestos waste to be sent to a site that is authorised to accept asbestos waste

You may be able to identify firms who be able to help by:

  • using the internet
  • using the local phone books
  • contacting the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA):
    237 Branston Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3BT
    Tel: 01283 531126
    Fax: 01283 568228
    Email:     info@arca.org.uk
    Web: www.arcaweb.org.uk

If you choose to work with asbestos yourself then the general precautions to be taken when handling asbestos cement sheets are:

  • prepare the work area - remove any unnecessary items, cover the floor and surfaces with disposable polythene sheeting
  • where appropriate protective clothing (for example a breathing filter/ face mask)
  • where reasonably practicable, remove the asbestos cement before the rest of the structure is demolished
  • where possible, avoid further breaking the sheets
  • keep the material wet when working on it
  • where possible, lower the material onto a clean hard surface
  • remove waste and debris from the site as soon as possible to prevent it being crushed underfoot or by moving vehicles
  • do not dry sweep asbestos cement debris
  • dispose of the waste and debris safely
  • pick up polythene sheeting and remove protective clothing and dispose of both as asbestos waste
  • wash hands and face after the job is completed

Disposal of Asbestos waste

Currently, it is not possible to dispose of waste that contains asbestos at any household waste site in Hertfordshire. Members of the public who have asbestos to dispose of should either:

  1. Arrange for collection and disposal by a licensed asbestos contractor
  2. Contact Waste Aware (an advisory service provided by Hertfordshire County Council)

    Tel: 08457 425000
    Email: WasteAware@hertscc.gov.uk
    Web: www.wasteaware.org.uk

Hertfordshire County Council may be able to collect small amounts of domestically produced asbestos containing material for which there is a charge

Please note that Environmental Health do not offer an Identification Service.