The dangers of asbestos at home, in schools, or at the workplace have become so well known that many people do not actually stop to think about it, and when encountering this hazardous substance, assume that everything will be alright.  Quite often it has been seen as a problem from the past, with little relevance today.  This couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Disposing of asbestos waste is a serious challenge.

Asbestos is a generic term used for a range of naturally occurring minerals which were used for their insulating and fire retardant properties.  It has been used across a various different products, including pipes, floor and roofing tiles and cement sheeting.  Although the height of its use was from the 1940s to the 1960s it was not completely banned until November 1999 and could be found in any building constructed prior to 2000. 

If left undisturbed and undamaged Asbestos is relatively harmless, however, if damaged small fibres are released in to the air.   When inhaled these fibres can cause a variety of serious, and often fatal diseases including Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, and Asbestosis. 

The disposal and transfer of asbestos waste is a regulated and licensed industry and great care should be taken if you discover it in your homes.  It is not advised to try and deal with the substance yourself, and expert assistance is always recommended.  The only public Household Waste Recycling Centre in Lincolnshire to accept asbestos, and then only for small amount of white asbestos, is in Boston.  An appointment must be made in advance, there is a special bagging procedure and a limit on the amount taken at any one time.  Additionally, members of the public are only allowed to use the service twice a year.  No other council run facility will take asbestos waste.  Full information on this public service can be found on the Lincolnshire County Council website.

If you are a builder, or other contractor, then the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Boston will not be available to you and you will need to dispose of any asbestos waste at a commercial, licensed asbestos waste transfer station.  There are two in the Lincoln area, one at Saxilby managed by the Lindum Group, and one nearer the city on the Allenby Road Industrial Estate, managed by the Rilmac Group.  These transfer stations are also  operated by appointment only system and are managed by licensed and trained experts.

Asbestos could be found anywhere in a property, and isn’t always readily identifiable.  It is often in cement products, for example garage or shed roofs, soffit boards, guttering, roof and floor tiles, fire surrounds, and flue pipes. It could form part of the insulation in walls, ceilings, and doors, even on pipes and boilers, as well as certain textured surface coatings and ceiling tiles.  Perhaps less obviously it can also be found sprayed on to steelwork and concrete, or as board and paper in electrical equipment.  With so many people refurbishing their own homes, or starting businesses in old office or commercial space, the risks of the hazard associated with asbestos are very relevant to today.  Wherever possible it is advised to get expert help.

Click here to see how Rilmac Asbestos Services can help you.