What are the risks?

Asbestos is not a problem if it is not damaged and left alone. If it does become damaged or deteriorates, then you and others may be at risk.

Asbestos can be dangerous if it is damaged or disturbed by drilling, sawing, sanding or scrubbing, as asbestos fibres are released into the air. If you breath in asbestos, this can cause serious lung diseases.

You may sometimes briefly breathe in high levels of asbestos when you are doing activities such as DIY. If you think a material might contain asbestos, don’t work on it and contact us for advice.

If asbestos is in good condition it is not dangerous to your health. However, if asbestos is damaged we will deal with it in a safe and appropriate way. We follow all the rules and regulations on asbestos very strictly, and your health and safety is the most important thing to us.

Tenant advice - do's and don'ts
Do contact us straight away if:

• any materials you think may contain asbestos have been damaged or disturbed
  
• protective coatings or sealants are peeling or breaking off, or if special labels have been removed
  
• asbestos cement-based products (such as guttering or shed roofs) become damaged, badly weathered or waste away

Also, do make sure that:

• anything you think may contain asbestos stays in good condition
  
• before you carry out any DIY work you get our advice. You may also need permission under the conditions of your tenancy.

Remember, materials that contain asbestos which are in good condition and not disturbed are not a risk to your health.

Make sure you don’t:

• work on, damage or remove materials containing asbestos
  
• sand down, drill or scrape off Artex when it is dry
  
• drill, cut or sand materials you think may contain asbestos
  
• break off pieces or break up large pieces of materials that could contain asbestos
  
• jet wash or clean down asbestos cement products
  
• remove old floor tiles or lino - instead leave them in place and lay new floor coverings over them
  
• remove textured coatings from ceilings - wash any areas where paint is flaking before you paint it again.