Does Concrete Guttering Contain Asbestos

Asbestos cement gutters suffer from a number of common faults such as leaks cracks and the build up of debris that can escalate if left unattended over time so routine maintenance is important.

Does concrete guttering contain asbestos. When embedded in an intact surface or structure made from concrete asbestos is essentially harmless. Although asbestos fibers are sealed within the concrete chipping or breaking asbestos containing concrete could release these fibers into the air. Asbestos guttering also known as asbestos cement guttering is often present in asbestos cement roofs. Asbestos cement guttering down pipes roof ridges fascias and cover stripping.

The guttering is located at the eaves of the roof pitch in industrial and warehouse properties. However the situation changes when a repair removal or modification job calls for the cutting of asbestos impregnated concrete. But for the most part asbestos is generally thought of as a thing of the past banned by the epa and therefore no longer a problem. Asbestos was widely used in cement based products for seven decades until federal regulators like the environmental protection agency epa and the occupational safety health administration osha took steps to ban asbestos containing materials acms.

Spotting asbestos in concrete products can be difficult. That s because the fibers remain locked in place and cannot travel through the air. Asbestos cement pipes for storm water down pipes irrigation sewage and drinking water. Brick or breeze block and mortar.

Franz notes that a similar process should be taken with any project that involves asbestos concrete. Inhaling or ingesting these airborne fibers puts workers at risk of developing asbestos related diseases like meso thelioma. The epa ban did not cover all products and still allows some products like insulation to contain as much as 1 asbestos. The concrete was found to contain between 2 and 10 asbestos by weight and the construction company was required to comply with osha methods for removal.

Most furnishings and fabrics but see equipment above. Sadly there are many products that still contain asbestos used every day across the nation.