The neighbor is tearing down an asbestos cement roof!

[greenhouse]

I am living with a woman who also has an insanely excessive fear of what the children might be exposed to. I recognize TS's behavior. It doesn't matter how much information you provide, the fear is always there, and in an irrational way, it causes the minimal risk (if there even is a risk in some cases) to become greatly exaggerated.

I believe the discussion can be closed. TS has received all the answers she needs, there is no risk in this case, and it won't matter—she will be terrified anyway.

The thread can continue if anyone wants to add something to the issue. Otherwise, it can be closed. The asbestos huggers can move on to the next asbestos thread and talk about their 94-year-old grandfather who consumes asbestos.

 

[Henrik.woll]

I can understand your concern, but in this case, it is unfounded. As mentioned, you are exposed to other things that are significantly more dangerous than asbestos in your daily life. With the information provided in many of the above comments, I think you can sit calmly on the patio and relax. If you still feel uncomfortable, then wait to be there until they are finished with the work.

 

[Sockerhög]

An American study, but it's probably applicable to the whole world:

"As a result of human use, asbestos fibers are now widely dispersed in the environment. Background levels in the air are extremely low, about 0.0001 fibers/cc [Holland and Smith 2003].

Asbestos is also present in the environment naturally, primarily in underground rock.

• In most areas asbestos fibers are not released into the air because the rock is too deep to be disturbed easily.
• In some areas, such as parts of California, Virginia, and New Jersey (and across the globe in Turkey and Corsica) where asbestos-bearing rock is close enough to the surface that construction and other human activities can disturb it, high concentrations of asbestos fibers can be released into the air [ATSDR 2001a; Constantolopoulos 2008; Hasanoglu et al. 2003; Luo et al. 2003]"

[link]

It seems that the concern about asbestos is more dangerous than the asbestos itself. And in this case with 80 meters away, outdoors and short-term exposure, it feels entirely safe. But it's also a bit amusing to examine studies like the one above a bit deeper. Here they measure 0.0001 fibers/mL, which is extremely low. If instead, you say that it corresponds to Globen containing 60 million asbestos fibers, many might hesitate to attend the next hockey game. It all depends on what agenda you have.

 

[ToRy]

I can understand your concern about asbestos. What I don't understand is your way of addressing those who give you facts, or your irrelevant ramblings about asbestos huggers and 94-year-old grandfathers who allegedly eat asbestos.

 

[Stuff]

Asbestos is clearly not healthy, but TS your concern seems completely disproportionate. I think that's why you're getting posts about baby food, sugar, etc., as attempts to put things in proportion.

Yes, asbestos is not good, but there are many other things in society that aren't good, and have you ever considered this?
I (as an amateur) believe that your worry about asbestos is more dangerous than the asbestos itself. High blood pressure is really not good.

80 m is a long distance in this context. Again, I'm guessing as an amateur, but I also THINK you don't gain anything by closing your ventilation. Rather, you introduce greater risks by doing so. Living in a house with subpar ventilation can lead to respiratory problems in the long run, like asthma.

Calling and complaining to your neighbor because he's taking down the roof is completely unjustified. Now your neighbor seems friendly and accommodating. Others would probably just hang up.

How do you handle taking your child into the city for a shopping trip? Do you call the municipality and demand they stop all vehicular traffic in the city so you don't get exposed to particles? How often do you change the cabin filter in your car?

I also notice it took over 50 posts before you got an answer you were “satisfied” with, even though the messages were the same. I would guess it's because Daniel mentioned he's professionally involved in roof cleaning. All other answers you dismiss as nonsense. This is a forum consisting of 99% happy amateurs. If you don't want their/our opinion, you might need to consider turning elsewhere with your concerns.

With all good intentions

 

[Misse]

We have experienced a situation where our neighbor had asbestos cement boards removed without the company doing so using any form of protection. We became frightened and closed all vents, etc. However, after calming down somewhat, we found out what applies in this situation, and according to the information I received, it wasn't dangerous for us at all. Apparently, these types of particles are quite heavy and tend to fall down rather than spread far in the air. Of course, you shouldn't have children playing right where the boards are being removed, and the person working with them should have protective equipment. It's also important to ensure that the "remnants" are disposed of properly. But living next to a house where the boards are being removed should not be dangerous, as I understand it, so you probably don't need to worry. In our case, it was somewhat special because a company was doing this incorrectly, so the environmental inspector I spoke with went there and sorted it all out.

 

[Maledictus]

The thread can continue if someone wants to add something regarding the main issue. Otherwise, it can be closed. The asbestos supporters can move on to the next asbestos thread and talk about their asbestos-consuming 94-year-old grandfathers.

No one here has claimed that asbestos is beneficial. But perhaps you could humbly admit that you seem to have a disproportionate fear of this? And that you actually acknowledge that those who have written in the thread so far might be right, regardless of what your "gut feeling" says?

 

[greenhouse]

Nobody here has exactly claimed that asbestos is beneficial. But perhaps you could humbly admit that you seem to have a disproportionate fear of this? And that you might actually admit that those who have written in the thread so far might be right, regardless of what your "gut feeling" says?

If you had taken the time to read all the replies I have written, I have done just that. No offense intended.

 

[Staffans2000]

But comparing asbestos to baby food or gravel road is just directly wrong and uninformed.

Very unpleasant story this

That he has been exposed to something harmful due to my neighbor's negligence and stinginess.

Comparing asbestos exposure to carrying your own child is just irrelevant.

With that said, let's keep a good tone.

but they would have happily told me beforehand so I could have stayed away from the yard while they work.

Moreover, the waste should be wrapped in plastic and labeled and that doesn't happen.

However, the roof should be wetted

Comparing asbestos to sugar is just purely childish.

Justified fear or not, a good tone is expected

Let's stick to the topic and not turn this thread into Anonymous Anorexics.

Stop comparing apples and pears

No, why should I leave my thread when I've behaved excellently?

Thanks Daniel, nice to have an answer from a professional

Exactly, I want good, serious, and respectful answers.

I really agree with you, Maria, consideration.

Half of the thread is criticism against me...

Etc etc...

You glorify yourself, in a purely Narcissistic manner while you condemn those who don't agree with you. Then the question arises: -Why are you writing here at all?

Staffan

 

[greenhouse]

Etc etc...

You glorify yourself in a purely narcissistic way while declaring those who don't agree with you as idiots. Then the question arises: -Why do you write here at all?

I neither glorify myself nor declare anyone an idiot. I am factual. I have asked a question and have responded to all respectful answers in a respectful way.

Why do I write here? In hopes of getting good answers to my question, which I certainly have, about 10-20 of them. Even your answers were good and respectful. What I questioned was the comparison of asbestos with other risks. It was also somewhere around there that this thread got derailed.

Staffan

 

[skaraborgsfakir]

As mentioned, nothing to worry about.

Partly, very few fibers are released when removing an asbestos roof, even if some tiles crack. The fibers released quickly dilute in the air, and just a few meters away, the concentration is so low that it cannot be measured. At a distance of 80 meters, it becomes even more impossible to detect any fibers beyond those naturally present in the air.

The groups where a connection has been found between asbestos and certain types of cancer have worked in asbestos factories and the like. They have been standing and sawing asbestos embedded in a mist of asbestos fibers all working day year after year. Completely without protective equipment. In that group, there has been a very high mortality rate from asbestos-related diseases.

Well, all those who have worked on ships, particularly in the engine room, have been exposed. Likewise, in railway workshops. Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer (and not caused by tobacco smoke.)

 

[LassePz]

Hello and thanks for the quick responses. I also think that 80 meters should create a lot of air per asbestos fiber so to speak.

That sounds promising. But comparing asbestos to baby food or gravel road is just directly incorrect and uninformed. As far as I know, baby food is legal and so is gravel road. Asbestos is banned because it causes serious diseases for those who inhale it (to varying degrees). The old man who is 74 will not die from it but my son and I are probably young enough to potentially suffer the consequences in 20 years. However, I do understand the idea that there are other risks besides asbestos. Living near a heavily trafficked road is probably also very bad for the lungs, as is smoking and riding a motorcycle at 300km/h.

Unfortunately, fibers and dust are so small that they can't be seen. It would be interesting to hear opinions from an asbestos remover or someone who has dismantled Eternit. It's all about the concentration in the air, which in turn depends on how much is released when handling asbestos. That fibers are released is 100% certain as some of the tiles have broken.

Read up on quartz dust, stone dust.
I think your neighbor is right about the road network.

 

[KMA62]

https://www.av.se/produktion-industri-och-logistik/asbest/privatpersoners-hantering-av-asbest/

 

[Bernt_Karlsson]

I don't have the energy to read all the posts, but I see that some are taking it too lightly. Here's what the Swedish Work Environment Authority writes:

Handling asbestos is dangerous. The rules of the Swedish Work Environment Authority, which are designed to limit the risks of handling asbestos, can also be used by private individuals. The rules describe methods for working safely with asbestos-containing materials. To minimize the risks to oneself and one's loved ones, we recommend using these methods even as a private individual.

This means, for example, that fiber cement boards on roofs and facades should first be wetted and then taken down as whole as possible, and that a half-mask with a P3 filter, protective gloves, and disposable protective clothing should be used.

 

[KarroZoo]

That was a good point, unfortunately, it's not raining but it's the second day in a row with 20 degrees and bright sunshine, so I don't know how damp they are. Probably damper than indoors though.

Also a reasonable point that tiles that break have already "released" their fibers. That sounds plausible.

Very unsettling story this

The only unsettling thing about the story is that you're going bananas and accusing your neighbor of being careless without any basis. Try to control your emotions and accept the facts.
You can also pack a picnic basket for your neighbor, it's probably sweaty on the roof, because good neighborly relations should be cherished.