rainwater from asbestos roof

Posts

• BobTheGardener Posts: 11,385

  March 2021

  Yes, concrete asbestos corrugated sheets don't pose a danger until they are worked in some way (ie cut, drilled, pressure-washed etc.) Rainwater running from an existing installation is safe to use on the garden.

  A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  

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• SporophyteBoy Posts: 118

  March 2021

  Although any mention of the word "asbestos" - oh damn, six blokes in Tyvek suits have just turned up!  GO AWAY!!! 
  As I was saying, any mention of the "a" word brings about an altogether ridiculous reaction these days - mostly put about by firms who make an absolute fortune removing it - and of course, dumping it somewhere else! 
  Roof sheets are made from white asbestos which virtually safe - as much as anything else is - especially when wet. The major health concerns revolved around blue asbestos which was used exclusively for built up plaster insulation such as on boilers and pipework.  

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• Dovefromabove Posts: 88,147

  March 2021

  I take it you’ve never lost a loved one to mesothelioma?  We have. 

  
  

  White asbestos is by no means ‘safe’ as it weathers and degrades, particularly on roofs. 

  
  

  ‘Not interfering’ with asbestos roofing panels “which are in good condition” is the least most dangerous option to the non-professional without the equipment necessary to handle it as safely as possible. 

  
  

  However to describe any asbestos as ‘virtually safe’ is just plain wrong and potentially dangerous. 
  

  
  

  This guidance for handling asbestos includes white asbestos roofing panels. 

  
  

  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/white-asbestos-how-farmers-should-handle-and-dispose-of-it
  

  
  Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• SporophyteBoy Posts: 118

  March 2021

  I was a large project building site manager for about thirty years - responsible for the entire development. I also have somewhat of a scientific bent and still spend a lot of time studying raw data rather than headlines. 
  Everyone is welcome to their opinion on asbestos and there will be those like Dove who ascribe direct blame for the loss of a loved one. I'd like to think that I'd remain unbiased regardless of personal involvement. 
  Not a blood relation but my daughter's ex husband's granddad suffered lung failure for years - he worked at the Cape Asbestos factory near Uxbridge - yet his final demise was put down to emphysema which has multiple causes rather than a recognised industrial diseased he might have sued someone about. 
  Personally, I really wonder about glass fibre - it's everywhere and I have found it flippin evil stuff even with an L95 respirator and suited up.  

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• Dovefromabove Posts: 88,147

  March 2021 edited March 2021

  Struthio 🤯

  
  Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• akkamiau0Am7097H Posts: 1

  9 January

  Please I have a question, about rain water from eternit roof  (built in 70s, so of course it contains asbestos). I read that in water is "safe" but how about when I use it for cleaning dishes on the cottage and when it gets dry (on towel) I can imagine it is in its "air" form... same case if I would wash my hair with rain water collected from such roof, drying them out will release the particles into the air, hence dangerous for breathing? 
  
  How can I measure the amount of asbestos in such water? 

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• Fire Posts: 19,096

  10 January

  akkamiau0Am7097H which country are you in, please?
  

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• tui34 Posts: 3,493

  10 January

  Well -  just been talking to my brother in NZ about just that.  He has just purchased a house and moved in 2 weeks ago.
  
  Old gas fire in the lounge.  He is having a heat pump installed and to qualify for financial help you aren't supposed to have any other form of heating.  
  
  Gas pump young man takes out gas fire and behind is a lovely old brick open fire-place with a panel at the back.  Out comes the panel which my brother was  pretty sure it was asbestos so he hosed it down straightaway - outside.  Called a builder friend with photo and the builder friend said wet it, wrap it in plastic and duck tape it straightaway.  He also said it was very difficult and expensive to get rid of as it goes into special landfills.  He has sorted it out and now has a lovely feature fireplace which he is going to bung up.
  
  You don't muck around with asbestos!

  A good hoeing is worth two waterings.
  
  

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• Bee witched Posts: 1,295

  10 January

  I totally agree with you @tui34.
  
  My lovely brother-in-law died last year from mesothelioma.
  As a younger man he worked for a year in a factory making brake parts for cars.
  There was no protection from the asbestos used.
  
  He had a lingering and painful death.
  
  Please treat asbestos with utmost caution.
  
  Bee x

  Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  
  
  A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  

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• Fire Posts: 19,096

  10 January

  fruitypeache doesn't say what the water was to be used for.  

  
  

  akkamiau0Am7097H says the water is used for washing, which sounds lke a very bad idea. Depending on which country they are in, it may not be straight forward to get rid of the asbestos or even avoid it - but I would think it's best to avoid where you can and not drink or wash in water that has been exposed.
  

  
  

  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asbestos-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/asbestos-general-information
  

  
  
  

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