how dangerous is the asbestos quantity in Artex?

Question

when the guy from the Council came round the house, to fit a handrail in the bathroom, he said he would have to come back as he did not have a mask as the wall was Artexed. was this really necessary as i have fitted a shower rail without realising that Artex actually contained asbestos .............cheers

Answer 1

Artex no longer contains asbestos and hasn't since the late 1970's.The amounts used before it was discontinued were minute and unless stripping it of in large quantities ensure adequate ventilation and wear a mask and it its perfectly safe.The council man was correct not to do the job in these circumstances but obviously gilded the lily as it has caused you unnecessary worry.

Answer 2

Artex Asbestos Risk

Answer 3

News to me too, but I suppose Artex does have little fibres in it, and if they are asbestos and you disturb them, you need a mask. Presumably it's OK for you to do without one if it's a one-off, but if he comes across this every day he's got nothing to lose by sticking to whatever the Health & Safety rules are at present.

There was a question in the Sunday Telegraph DIY column about asbestos a while back, and they said that a lot of fuss is made unneccessarily these days about asbestos, that basically if it's 'bound up' (as it would be if it was in Artex) it's perfectly safe; it's only when a panel with asbestos in it gets broken apart, for example, that it needs to be replaced because you're not supposed to breathe it in or handle it.

Perhaps you can ask the man when he comes back.

Answer 4

I have done a lot of asbestos analysis. I have a degree in industrial hygiene and over ten years of asbestos identification experience. I would say this buy a mask, a full face one, even a good fitting half face. Keep the material wet and get a drill bit strong enough to cut through this material if it is possible. If not you might have to remove an area of it drill then recover. Before you cut however, determine locations of the desired railing connection. and get a good anchor for that is stainless or can get wet in a shower. This really can be a job with little headaches if you keep your cutting to a minimum. Do not make the hole too big but the size of the anchor. Connect the railing. I do a lot of home work and realize most jobs are filled with work that you do not expect would be so hard possibly because you have the wrong tools or knowledge. I think however this is very doable. A plumber can definitely help you that is qualified and experienced.

Answer 5

Not all Artex contains Asbestos and the level is pretty low in those that do.
If undisturbed it presents little or no risk.
If it is asbestos containing, a mask may not be sufficient protection when drilling, I would question his supervisor on why the artex has not been removed and when and where was it identified.
It sounds like he wanted an early day to me.

Answer 6

Artex used to be made with asbestos, you cannot tell by looking at it if it is dangerous, why take the risk, heath and safety now say you must test to see if it contains asbestos before you work with it.

it can Kill you! not know, but later on in life...

Answer 7

Not all artex contains asbestos. He was just being cautious and being a typical council worker. I don't think fitting a shower rail will do you any harm. Don't get worked up over nothing

Answer 8

At one time, they used to blow in asbestos into lofts for insulation. For it to harm you, you have to breath it in. If it's left alone, in your situation, it's very unlikely that you'll be able to breath in dried paint.

However, as someone else pointed out, drilling into it and disturbing it is another matter. I think there is a test that they can perform to determine if asbestoes is present.

There's been some big issues with buildings in the U.S. being torn down that contained asbestos and not telling the laborers or providing them with suitable equiptment. Also, there was a big problem with a building in east Berlin being torn down to rebuild the Kaiser's Palace.

If it's a concern to you, get on the telephone and if it takes the whole day, call everyone and their brother that might remotely be able to give you more information on this subject.

Answer 9

it is blue asbestos is the dangerous one.It was largely used in schools and public buildings as a n insulation for central heating andd water tanks. It was applied like plaster of paris and was safe unless it was disturbed. I worked for years in buildings with blue asbestos and as long as it is left alone, it was no danger. Aertex has a miute amount of WHTE asbestos which is not harmful. it is in large quantities that there could be some danger.

Answer 10

I can't know about GLOBAL issues, but here in the states it was deemed "STOP" in 1975. Obviously that didn't "trickle down" to stored supplies; etc, for another 2 years of more.

Oddly enough; LAWS here dictate remediation by professionals; yet don't care much about painting over/ coating/paneling over etc??????????

It is an invasive substance and I've had family members buried because of its effects and the causes. It attacks LUNG membranes; among other disorders it causes...usually long term and debilitating. Certainly a mask and some screw holes might not be a HUGE issue; but the substance still exists; can FLAKE; and generally is an issue. To deny ones health possibilities seems Ludicrous to me.

Obvously others have given you valid suggestions, and while you might choose to explore any risk; you might do a bit more research first.

Steven Wolf