Are you going to do odd jobs or renovate and have a house or shed built before 1994? Then pay extra attention. Older buildings may contain asbestos. Cutting, drilling or breaking into this material releases dangerous fibres. That is why it is important to know in advance where you might encounter asbestos and how to handle it safely. This page tells you what to look out for and what steps to follow.
Where can you encounter asbestos?
Asbestos can be found in houses or sheds built before 1994. You can find it in:
- Cement drainage pipes
- Roof boarding
- Facade panels
- Corrugated sheets
- Putty from window frames
- Pipes
- Bakelite: Sinks, toilet seats, electrical parts such as housings of telephones and switches, plugs
- Brake linings from old cars
- Ceiling tiles
- Plates behind the boiler
- Chimneys
- Window sills
- Floor tarpaulin
- Bitumen: Glue under tiles, glue under roof slate
- Asbestos cord: Gaskets, sealing material around stove drains, air ducts and chimneys, simmering plates, insulation of electrical cables
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos has a major drawback. As you start sawing, drilling or breaking in materials containing asbestos, many microscopic fibres are released. These fibres can easily be inhaled and enter the lungs. This can cause serious health problems, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma (asbestos cancer). Therefore, it is important to always be alert while doing odd jobs or remodelling in a house or shed built before 1994.
Customised advice from Milieu Centraal
Roadmap for safe handling of asbestos
Here is a handy step-by-step plan to deal with asbestos safely:
Step 1 - Do you suspect asbestos? Have it examined
Do not take a risk and have a professional inspection to confirm this. A specialised company can take samples and examine them to see if asbestos is indeed present. If it is asbestos, they will give you advice on removal.
Step 2 - Check whether you can remove it yourself
You may only remove asbestos yourself if the material:
- No more than 35 m2 per address
- asbestos fibres are firmly attached
- is fixed with screws, not nails or staples
- it is not glued
If the above does not apply, always ask a certified company. Discuss with the company who will make the notification to the Environment Desk, see step 3.
Step 3 - Submit a demolition notification to the Environment counter
If you are allowed to remove the asbestos yourself, notify the Environment counter and await permission from the environmental department or municipality.
Step 4 - Watch the film by Milieu Centraal
Step 5 - Then gather all the necessary materials
Gather everything you need, such as disposable protective clothing, a mouth mask (protection factor FFP3), goggles, gloves, work shoes, spray adhesive or hairspray , clean cloth, garden hose and masking tape.
Step 6 - Prepare the space
Empty the room and cover the floor with masking film. This will prevent asbestos from getting on your belongings.
Step 7 - Choose a suitable day
A good day to start work is preferably a rainy and windless day. This will prevent asbestos fibres from blowing away.
Step 8 - Remove asbestos safely
Keep spray glue or hairspray handy for securing any bolts. Avoid breaking, sawing, sanding or scraping asbestos material.
Step 9 - Package the material safely
Safely wrap the removed asbestos and your disposable clothing in double plastic and clearly mark it as asbestos-containing waste. You should wrap the asbestos in special foil and tape it tightly shut. You can get this foil and tape for free at our waste disposal centre. Then rinse the package well with the garden hose. Then clean the work area with a wet cloth.
Material resembling asbestos, such as asbestos-free corrugated sheets, are treated as asbestos at the waste disposal site. Therefore, this material must also be delivered properly packaged.
Step 10 - Deliver it to the environmental site (with form and demolition notice)
Before taking asbestos to one of our environmental centres:
- File a demolition notification with your local council. Sometimes you may also need a permit. You can find more information on your municipality's website.
- Fill a fill in a form stating that you have come to bring asbestos. Give the form together with the demolition notification or permit to the manager of the environmental site.
Note: Always hand in asbestos double-packed and properly sealed. Asbestos-free corrugated sheets are also treated as asbestos by the waste disposal centre, so you should package them in the same way.
By following these steps, you will handle asbestos safely and reduce risks during renovations and remodelling. In doubt about the presence of asbestos? Then contact a professional for advice and inspection.