Exposed asbestos

[HJT40]

I am a tenant in a privately rented property. In early August this year a leak from the bathroom caused a flood in the kitchen. It was advised that a couple of small holes were put in the ceiling to let the water out, thus stopping the whole ceiling from colapsing. A couple of weeks ago a man finally came out to take a part of the ceiling to check for asbestos, which came back that it was present in the artex. I have been living in the house with three holes in the ceiling that has asbestos in it. My questions are a) will this harm us in any way and b) is the landlord liable for any responsibility in the time it takes to remove and replace the ceiling?

[Siamsal]

Lots of things have asbestos in them. It's perfectly safe if it is held in the product by a binder. EG asbestos roof sheets. If you have asbestos in your artex (which sounds very odd to me) it is safe as long as it stays in the artex. It becomes dangerous when the tiny asbestos fibres break away and get into the air, where you breathe them in. This may happen, for example, if you sand your artex, or saw through it, or burn it. Wear a mask if you do.

It is most likely white asbestos, which although still a hazard, is nowhere near as dangerous as blue asbestos.

[buildersmate]

Artex did used to have asbestos in it. Agree with the rest.

[HJT40]

Thank you for that. Someone also told me to talk to the environmental health at the local council who were really helpful.

;-)

[Mrs_Pegasus]

I agree with the other replies and would say that the amount used in artex was minimal and the dangers come from long term exposure to the substance.

[HJT40]

Thank you, the asbestos is minimal, but I will lose the use of my kitchen for a week, the landlord has not suggested any rebate in the rent, considering he fitted the bathroom. but suggested that I may like to contribute to the refit as his insurance is minimal! Ahhh landlords, don't you just love em?