It seems like I have asbestos in part of the ventilation vent over the stove in the kitchen of my cottage. It looks like a gray cement pipe, but even I can see that it's not. A friend was visiting and said, for free, you have the world's most poisonous substance there... but leave it alone and it's not dangerous.
The question is, is it dangerous to leave it there, or should I call in professionals to remove it? (No, I don't plan to tear it down myself even if it's like smoking a pack of cigarettes, I don't smoke either).
So, it is located over the stove (electric stove) in the ventilation outlet and has no contact with any other ventilation. However, it looks like water has leaked in before which the previous owner sealed, and the wood around the asbestos pipe is relatively water-damaged.
The question is, is it dangerous to leave it there, or should I call in professionals to remove it? (No, I don't plan to tear it down myself even if it's like smoking a pack of cigarettes, I don't smoke either).
So, it is located over the stove (electric stove) in the ventilation outlet and has no contact with any other ventilation. However, it looks like water has leaked in before which the previous owner sealed, and the wood around the asbestos pipe is relatively water-damaged.
Asbestos is not toxic. However, the sharp fibers can damage cells in the lungs if you inhale a lot over a long period.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the ventilation; warm air rises, which means you have airflow OUT of the house via the vent, and I don't think an eternit pipe releases fibers as long as you don't start sawing into it.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the ventilation; warm air rises, which means you have airflow OUT of the house via the vent, and I don't think an eternit pipe releases fibers as long as you don't start sawing into it.
Are you sure your friend didn't accidentally see your salt shaker when he said you have the world's most toxic substance there? Because salt is actually also classified as a poison and a very potent poison that has such peculiar properties that it doesn't dissolve in spirits. Let the pipe stay until you need to do a renovation and then remove it as completely as possible with a little water spraying beforehand.
The forum seems to have just been hit by some asbestos panic!
The pipe is completely harmless where it is, and it is completely harmless when you remove it. Just make sure not to break the pipe. When the pipe breaks, fibers are released that you don't want to ingest too much of.
The pipe is completely harmless where it is, and it is completely harmless when you remove it. Just make sure not to break the pipe. When the pipe breaks, fibers are released that you don't want to ingest too much of.
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· Stockholm
· 1 397 posts
There is also old 70s pipe insulation that looks exactly like asbestos but isn't. I have personally sent samples for testing at work and been surprised when it turned out to be harmless. Often, there are 10 so-called experts at the workplace who have carefully determined that it is life-threatening asbestos.