Understanding asbestos will help keep your community safe | Tenant news

Found in many older buildings, Asbestos is a once-popular construction material that can pose serious health risks if not properly managed.

Understanding what asbestos is and how to deal with it is key to keeping you, your household, and your community safe.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals known for their strength, heat resistance, and insulating properties.

In the past, it was commonly used in materials like insulation, roofing, flooring, cement, and pipe coverings and can still be found in many homes, schools, and public buildings built before the 1990s.

Materials containing asbestos that were used in domestic properties include:

• Artex
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Corrugated asbestos cement sheets
• Asbestos cement flue pipes
• Bitumen roofing felt
• Asbestos cement boards.

None of these products cause problems if they stay in good condition and aren’t disturbed, but harmful fibres can be released if they’re broken, sawed, sanded, or drilled.

Why is it dangerous?

Asbestos becomes dangerous when disturbed during repairs or wear and tear because tiny, invisible fibres are released into the air, and if breathed in, they can get stuck in your lungs.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems like asbestosis, which damages the lungs, and cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The tricky part is these illnesses often don’t show up until many years later.

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, meaning even a small amount can be harmful. This is why there are strict rules about how asbestos should be handled.

If you think asbestos might be present, do not touch or disturb it. If you’re unsure, we can inspect your home and advise if asbestos is there and what precautions you need to take.

Before starting any home improvement work, always get advice from us. You must have written permission from Habinteg before the work begins to make sure no harmful materials are disturbed.

What to remember

To keep you and everyone on your scheme safe, remember:

• Never try to remove or disturb asbestos yourself.
• Check with us before starting any repairs or improvements, especially if your home was built before the 1990s.
• Let us know right away if you notice any damaged or suspicious materials in communal areas.
• Always get our permission before any home improvements.

If you have any concerns, please report them to our Customer Services Team at Habinteg Direct on 0300 365 3100 or email direct@habinteg.org.uk.

While the use of asbestos has decreased significantly, the legacy of its past use still lingers.

By understanding where asbestos might be, why it's dangerous, and how to handle it properly, you can play a vital role in protecting yourself and our community.

You can find more information on our Health and Safety page, or visit the Health and Safety Executive website at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos.

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