Asbestos

Asbestos is the commercial name given to a group of naturally occurring mineral rocks.

Large amounts of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used for a wide range of construction purposes in new and refurbished buildings until 1999, when all use of asbestos was banned.

This means that there are still many buildings which contain asbestos. Where asbestos materials are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed they don’t present a risk. Where the materials are in poor condition, disturbed, or damaged, asbestos fibres can be released into the air. If breathed in, these fibres can cause serious lung diseases, including cancers.

Any building built before 2000 could contain asbestos.

Where is asbestos usually found in the home?

Asbestos can often be found in the following places, though this list is not exhaustive:

Exterior of buildings

  • Roof sheets and tiles
  • Fascia boards
  • Exterior cladding
  • Guttering and drain pipes

Boiler

  • Interior workings
  • Flue pipes
  • Storage radiators

Interior surfaces

  • Textured wall and ceiling coatings such as ‘Artex’
  • Duct panels (access to pipe work)
  • Panels behind radiators or heaters
  • Floor tiles
  • Underside of stairs
  • Cupboard door facing
  • Infill panels

Other items

  • Bath panels
  • Fireplace panels
  • Water tank
  • Pipe lagging
  • Garages
  • Outhouses
  • Shed roofs

Asbestos is dangerous and should not be disturbed.

Am I at risk?

Current scientific advice says that, if asbestos containing materials are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed, then the risk presented is minimal.

DIY activities such as sanding or drilling may disturb and possibly damage products containing asbestos, releasing fibres into the air which could put you and others at risk.

Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos related diseases which can affect the lungs.

Lambeth council homes

Tenants whose homes contain known or presumed asbestos will be informed when they sign up for their property.

Some of the homes owned by the council have textured decorative coatings on the ceiling or walls, commonly known by the trade name ‘Artex', which may contain asbestos. If there is mould on textured decorative coatings, please do not clean this yourself. You can contact the repairs service on 020 7926 6000 to arrange for us to inspect this.

Further information about textured decorative coatings (344kb PDF)

If you have concerns about asbestos in your home, or are a Lambeth housing tenant who requires emergency repairs, you can contact Lambeth housing repairs team on 020 7926 6000, Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 8am-1pm.

To report emergencies outside our working hours and on bank holidays, call us on 020 7926 6666.

For asbestos concerns related to Lambeth Housing communal areas, please contact hmasbestossafety@lambeth.gov.uk