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Is this asbestos?

sue.ahrens567sue.ahrens567 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
These photos (one a closeup of the other) are of something that has emerged while digging out a new path in a part of my garden that hasn't been dug over for many years - at least 30, I'd say. Is it asbestos? If so, what should I do? Thanks in advance for any info/advice. Sue

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    It looks like fibreglass. Maybe from an old boat or caravan? https://haztrainer.com/fiberglass-and-asbestos-information/
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • sue.ahrens567sue.ahrens567 Posts: 4
    pansyface said:
    It looks like a slime mould to me.
    No, it's definitely a manufactured item (with soil and sunlight on it). It's been damaged in a first attempt to remove it before we suspected possible asbestos.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    It's more likely to be fibre cement but hard to be sure. If you contact Env Health they will treat it as asbestos and charge you accordingly.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    It might be asbestos sheet that has been deliberately buried. You should contact your local Council for advice (but they may tell you that you have to get it professionally removed which is likely to be expensive). The alternative is to rebury it  where it is (do not try to move it) as it is harmless in the soil and move the path instead if that's possible.  If you do try to move it, you should wear a mask as a precaution as it's the inhalation of the dust that is dangerous.

    My late former MIL eventually died of it because she had inhaled the dust coming down off the asbestos pipe lagging above her head where she had worked for many years.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • sue.ahrens567sue.ahrens567 Posts: 4
    wild edges said:
    It looks like fibreglass. Maybe from an old boat or caravan? https://haztrainer.com/fiberglass-and-asbestos-information/
    Could be fibreglass, although I'm sure there's never been a caravan or boat anywhere near there. It looks like a shallow tray of some sort, a couple of feet wide and I don't know how long. Two more photos attached that might show it more clearly.
     
    From that article, if it's either fibreglass or asbestos, it seems that it would need to be removed by people with specialist equipment, yes? I wonder if my local council would do that? Or does anyone think it could be totally innocuous?
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    We have a lot of old asbestos roofing sheets lying around here and they are constructed with much finer fibers than that you are showing, I would say from the photo it's fiber glass rather than asbestos, but I cannot be sure. Either way nothing you want to breath in.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I would think the Environmental Health section of your local council would at least come and have a look to confirm or other wise your suspicions.
    They will advise if you need a specialist removal company.
  • sue.ahrens567sue.ahrens567 Posts: 4
    Thanks, everyone. Sorry about messages 'crossing in the post'. I'll contact my local council tomorrow. Thanks again.
    Sue
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    We got a test done on our soffits, to check if they contained asbestos, cost about £40 three years ago. I cant remember how we found the company that did it, possibly through HSE? 
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