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Asbestos testing in cork/limerick/tipp/waterford

  • 17-03-2011 7:46pm
    #1
    JohnBoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,342 ✭✭✭


    We've a ceiling that needs to come down, and I want to find out if it contains asbestos.

    It's believed to be around 60 years old, seems to be made from sheets of plaster of paris, three feet square, the edges are reinforced with lath, the slab is reinforced with a hemp mesh and the plaster has sawdust mixed in. They're smooth on one side and rough on the other.

    I'm 99.99% sure it wouldnt contain asbestos, but I'd like a professional opinion for obvious reasons. Ideally looking for someone I can take a sample to in the morning and get an answer straight away. I'd doubly ideally like to deal with someone who only tests and doesnt actually remove it so has nothing to gain from a positive result.


Comments

  • #2
    Poor Uncle Tom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,547 ✭✭✭✭Poor Uncle Tom


    You are not describing any ceiling boards that I am aware of, from the 1950's it could very well contain asbestos.

    Just in case you don't know, as you are talking about taking a sample of the material.

    Asbestos is usually harmless when left in place, it's only when the sheets are cracked, drilled or cut that the harmfull fibres are released to the breathable air.


  • #3
    JohnBoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,342 ✭✭✭JohnBoy


    Never seen anything like it myself either, but from some reading I did today it seems they used cut plaster of paris with sawdust, and use hemp in it too, so I think I might have some early plaster slabs on my hands.

    A chunk was pulled down with no thought to it being anything other than gypsum as every other ceiling in the house is newer it seems.

    Masks were on, and when it was noticed to be "different" there was a bit of panic alright and everything was given a good spray with water.

    Like I say, from looking at it and doing some research I'm 99.99% sure it's not asbestos based, but I'd like to be sure.

    There's no grey/white fibres in it, the fibres that are in it look and feel like hemp thread and burn readily, and anyway, why would you use hemp, and sawdust along with asbestos?

    But I know they loved that stuff back in the day so I want to be sure.

    So, any reccomendations? see a few people in the golden pages.


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