My work place has an asbestos roof, Is asbestos only dangerous when it's broken up?

Answer 1

Yes if it is broken up OR if it is cracked in situ then the fibres can release easily and then be breathed in,if you are concerned phone the Health and Safety Executive and they will do a spot check on your company but will not disclose who reported them.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Answer 2

Asbestos is very dangerous tiny little bits can fall without you even seeing it I thought asbestos had to be removed from workplaces only check that out. I do know that when it is removed the men are in suits like something from a film and there only a few tips in the UK where it can be dumped there is legislation and control of asbestos

Answer 3

Many buildings contain asbestos, which was used in spray-applied flame retardant, thermal system insulation, and in a variety of other materials. Asbestos was sometimes "flocked" above false ceilings, inside technical ducts, and in many other small spaces where firefighters would have difficulty gaining access. Structural components like asbestos panels were also used. In residences, asbestos was often a component of a type of flocked acoustic ceiling called "popcorn ceiling", until its production was banned in the U.S. in 1978. However, the ban allowed installers to use up remaining stocks, so houses built as late as 1986 could still have asbestos in their acoustic ceilings. The only way to be sure is to remove a sample and have it tested by a competent laboratory.

Depending on how and where asbestos was applied, it might not pose any risk to most users of the building. If the fibers cannot become dislodged, they cannot be inhaled, and thus the asbestos poses no risk.

However, some methods of applying asbestos, particularly flocking, allow asbestos fibers to gradually drop off into the air. Asbestos poses hazards to maintenance personnel who have to drill holes in walls for installation of cables or pipes.

Even if the workers are protected, such maintenance operation may release fibers into the air, which may be inhaled by others. Interventions in areas where asbestos is present often have to follow stringent procedures. If removal is to be performed when users are still present in the building, it is usually necessary to relocate some users temporarily. Typically, the part of the building from which asbestos is being removed has to be sealed off in order to prevent contamination of the other areas.

If the building is closed to normal users, it may be necessary to seal it off from outside atmosphere so that no accessible air is contaminated. Examples of asbestos removal enterprises include the Jussieu Campus (begun circa 1996 and still going on as of 2005) and the Tour Montparnasse (in 2005, projected duration was 3 years if the tower was emptied of its users, and 10 years if it was not).

An asbestos-containing building that is to be torn down may have to be sealed, and to have its asbestos safely removed before ordinary demolition can be performed. The asbestos removal may take longer and cost more than the actual demolition. For example, the former seat of parliament of East Germany, the Palast der Republik was stripped of most of its asbestos between 1998 and 2001, before it was finally demolished starting in 2006. The demolition process alone is expected to cost between 20 and 60 million Euros.

Answer 4

It doesn't have to be broken up, anything including normal wear and tear can release the fibers which then can be inhaled. Be very careful around any asbestos product.

Answer 5

Yes Asbestos is only bad when its little micro fibers are floating around in the air or falling off the ceiling.

Answer 6

It is dangerous when asbestos dust is breathed in. It seems to attach itself to the lungs and can cause cancer.
This should be checked by health and safety.
Older buildings had this as it is fireproof.

Answer 7

Asbestos is only a problem when particals are airborne and can get into the lungs

Answer 8

Yes. Do not attempt to get id of it yourself. Hire someone that deals with asbestos. My husband had chemo today for Asbestos cancer. (meso.)
He is dying and there is no cure. it only takes 1 particle to attach to your lining of you lungs or heart. it is going to be a terrible death for my husband. I hate this happening to us. You don't want ot go through this.
Please leave it alone and call your local E.P.A..

Answer 9

The asbestos itself is not dangerous it is the dust that comes off it,breath it in and you get asbestosis or cancer,or something equally bad.

Answer 10

no asbestos is dangerousbroken or not get the health and safty on it now