asbestos

[domestic spark]

hello im a domestic electrician, so many houses im in have artex ceiling which can have chryosititle (white) asb in it (traces)
sometimes i worry about it. ive spoke to asb guys and they say "oh its f all, if any, its ok"

does anyone else do domestic properties, and or worried about it??

and am i likely to die of it in 20-30 years?

just want to know what fellow electricians think!! a nice cheerful topic for a sat night, sorry!

 

[DurhamSparky]

i served on a nuclear submarine im already fooked
my lungs are fooked with steam pipe lagging dust!
not to mention working in the reactor compartment on various occasions!

 

[Adam W]

Depends what you're doing with it. If you're just replacing light fittings you should be alright. Drilling holes for downlights and I'd wear a decent respirator. If it looked to be pre 1980s and I was pulling the whole thing down I might get it checked out by a specialist compant, but trace amounts of the white stuff shouldn't usually cause you too much bother.

 

[somersetsparks]

The amount is negligable in most artex <5 percent. Chryosititle is far far less dangerous then brown or blue due to the curly fibres. I would just wear a mask if I was doing which fortunately I'm not!

 

[telectrix]

get an old bloke to do the drilling. he won't be around on 20-30 years anyway

 

[trick60]

A few months ago i did an asbestos awareness course and it was scary seeing just what you could find asbestos in, and also it was still being installed up to the year 2000. The major worry is the dust from the contaminated ceiling, if you are drilling for downlights then a good mask is essential we should all have a decent mask with pre filters on, and really, some diposable overalls so as you are not taking the contaminated dust home for your missus to shake out of your snickers when she washes them, It's true that the percentages contained in most artexes and floor tiles are small compared to stuff like you would find wrapped round a boiler but it isn't worth the gamble in my opinion, not when its your health and livelihood at risk.

 

[mikeymoo]

Its very much a role of a dice. Some people are exposed just a few times and develop asbestosis. Others can work with it directly and suffer no ill effect. An example is my dad. Telecomm engineer all is life. Sometime's come into contact with asbestos but took precautions. Died age 59 from mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, 7 weeks from diagnosis to passing away. On the other hand a guy i worked with come into direct contact every day for 11 years ripping out the lining of cooling towers. Said he come home covered in it. He's now 72 and fit as a fiddle. My advice is be aware and take precautions but dont let it dominate your day.

 

[tonys]

Mix up some wall paper paste and brush it on.

 

[domestic spark]

Does no one do domestic here then? And I mite wear a mask from now on just while I drill me holes then take it off. Can anyone send links to one I will need thankyou

 

[DurhamSparky]

i do!! i wear a sock round my gob!

 

[Adam W]

get an old bloke to do the drilling. he won't be around on 20-30 years anyway

I agree, although that would never actually work - the reality is the old bloke will always refuse to do it, he'll make the 18 year old apprentice with his life ahead of him do it instead.
"Get the youngsters to do the dirty work"; that's the way it's always been.

 

[tonys]

Does no one do domestic here then? And I mite wear a mask from now on just while I drill me holes then take it off. Can anyone send links to one I will need thankyou

Have you been on an asbestos awareness course ?


Ive worked in a good 1,000 domestic properties with pre 1980's artex ceilings. That's why I said make up some wall paper paste and brush it on, if not hire the people with the correct dust extract hoover equipment with the correct filters who will drill the holes for you and take the dust away in red bags.

When wearing a mask for asbestos make sure you shave and the mould of the mask is correct for your facial features lol

Don't forget the correct dust hoover as well as above.

 

[domestic spark]

i do!! i wear a sock round my gob!

Really or you on a wind up? For what applications?

 

[DurhamSparky]

when i dont have a mask!!

 

[trick60]

Sundstrom 100 halfmask, has two filters, and is made from the finest silicone, feels like you are wearing your wifes best silk knickers round your mush, got mine from arco many moons ago, can't remember how much but it was money well spent.