Should it be law all - ASBESTOS be removed from domestic properties?

Householder · Sep 17, 2011

Should a law be passed that all killer ASBESTOS be stripped out of all UK RESEDENTDIAL property, so once and for all there is zero risk to tradesman & homeowners. I raise these concerns, because Artex painted walls/ ceilings containing ASBESTOS are regularlly skimmed over to achieve the current fashion of `flat walls`, somewhere down the line walls are drilled/chased, say for a full house re-wire or the homeowner fixing shelves etc. resulting in a possible long term health problem. I am aware the HSE state WHITE ASBESTOS is classed less harmfull, but didn`t the tobacco companies claim `Low Tar` cigs would pose little risk back in the 60s/70s...we know different now. There is conflicting views on on how dangerous White ASBESTOS is, so I believe why have any risk. Responses appreciated, thanks.

Richard Burns · Sep 17, 2011

Really there is no practical possibility of ensuring the removal of all asbestos from buildings without removing , under asbestos clearance conditions, all buildings built before 1999 and replacing them with asbestos free buildings. The prevalence of asbestos in use for hundreds of years is so high that while the ideal is a nice result the practicality is beyond possibility.

Knobhead · Sep 17, 2011

OK now I’ll open a new can of worms.

Silica, it’s in plasterboard, bricks, cement etc. Inhalation causes silicosis which again leads to pneumoconiosis.

We’ll probably contract something nasty even when we’re all living in wattle and daub houses. But at least the lime wash used to paint the inside should kill off most of the effects of bulls**t!

Bugger! I forgot wattle and daub is flammable!

Sorry lads, it’s back to the tents, eeerr hang on, their flammable as well.

Anyone know of a fibrous natural material that’s fireproof?