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Asbestos in the Home
This page provides information about asbestos in the home and in communal areas.
What is asbestos? Asbestos is a strong fibrous rock, which can resist heat and chemicals and was commonly used in building materials to provide insulation or a fire barrier. Asbestos was particularly in use between the 1950s and 1980s and as a result most properties built during this period are likely to contain some asbestos.
From the early 1980s asbestos stopped being used in the construction of properties but was not finally banned until the 1990s.
Products which contain asbestos can look very similar to those that do not. The difference can often only be found under a microscope at a specialist laboratory.
When is asbestos a problem? A material that contains asbestos is not in itself dangerous but it becomes dangerous if it is damaged as asbestos fibres can be released into the air. A significant release of fibres can be associated with maintenance activities such as drilling, cutting, and worst of all sanding. Breathing in asbestos fibres can be harmful as some of the fibres may become lodged in the lungs. These fibres can eventually lead to asbestos related diseases although there is usually a very long delay between having contact with asbestos fibres and illness - often between 15 and 60 years.
Where might asbestos be located? The following list contains locations where asbestos is sometimes found:
Exterior of building
Interior surfaces
Other items
All these areas potentially contain asbestos and should be treated accordingly unless you know it is clear (for example, if you know asbestos has been removed and replaced by a non-asbestos product).
What has Co-op At CO-OP HOMES we are committed to ensuring that materials containing asbestos are kept in good condition and removed when necessary. Current advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that if materials containing asbestos are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed then leaving them alone presents the least risk.
CO-OP HOMES maintains a register of where asbestos has been located, removed or is presumed to be present. This is based on a sample survey of all our properties. This register is continually updated and is consulted by our partners and contractors before repairs are undertaken. Where the presence of asbestos is suspected, tests are carried out to determine if asbestos is present, its type and concentration. When works are likely to damage or disturb asbestos it is removed by qualified contractors before work begins. Where major works are being undertaken which involves the removal of asbestos you will be provided with information on how the material will be removed and what precautions will be taken to prevent the release of asbestos fibres. All employees of CO-OP HOMES and our partners/contractors who may need to work on materials that contain asbestos receive comprehensive asbestos awareness training to ensure that work stops if the presence of asbestos is suspected. If this is the case, the material is tested and any asbestos is removed by HSE approved asbestos contractors.
What can I do to prevent the release of asbestos fibres? If you are planning any home improvements and think you may have asbestos in your home, always talk to us first. Even if there is asbestos in your home, it will not cause any problem unless it becomes disturbed or is damaged. If you suspect that asbestos-containing materials have been damaged please contact CO-OP HOMES on freephone: 020 8568 4112
We can check to see if we already have information about the material or can arrange to have a sample taken and tested to establish if asbestos is present. If asbestos is identified you will be provided with details of what will be done.
It should be emphasised that asbestos does not present a hazard to health provided it is in good condition. However, where this is not the case we will deal with it in a safe and appropriate way.
Asbestos dos and don'ts
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