There was no danger in your fixed window sills.J Jimmy Andeblom said:
No, asbestos (that reaches down to the alveoli) are small nanofibers, very similar to carbon nanotubes.J Jimmy Andeblom said:
These fibers are just slightly too large to be phagocytosed (engulfed) by macrophages, which means they remain in the tissue causing irritation (creating inflammation and damaging the tissue locally) and also result in the macrophages continuing to try to phagocytose them (which also leads to inflammation).
Chronic inflammation predisposes to cancer. Chronic regeneration of tissue damage causes fibrosis. Sounds scary, right? But the fact is that the alveoli are external surfaces just like the skin, and we daily inhale particles, viruses, fungal spores, and other "stuff" that cause small local damage and/or inflammation, and in most cases, the body resolves this.
The repair mechanisms become slightly worse with age, increasing the risk that something goes wrong and cancer develops. If one exposes their body to other hazards, like cigarette smoke, at the same time, the risk for cancer and fibrosis also increases. Some individuals have diseases that make the repair mechanisms function worse, but that's uncommon. In other words, if you don't smoke, have healthy lungs, and aren't very old, your lungs can handle most things.
But one shouldn't be reckless; to remain lung-healthy, always use protection during dust-generating work. And quit smoking if you have that habit!!!!
Reviving this thread again. Found some old papers on my house that I'm renovating where they state that there is asbestos cement in the window sills. Being an estate without any relatives, there's really no one to ask if they're original... However, they don't seem to be at first glance and I'm a bit tired of paying for yet another asbestos test (I've submitted 4 on other details so far with negative results 😀)
No asbestos test is needed for your window sills. If you don't drill into them, they are not dangerous, they sit well where they are and will last for generations. If you still want to replace them for aesthetic reasons, you can package them in a plastic bag and dispose of them in the designated container at the recycling center.Rafff said:
Replace if you are prone to worry, it doesn't require an asbestos test to change, and then you won't have to feel uneasy. Also, change the description so the next owner sees what material you've installed if it's not obvious (e.g., wood)
Those are, as far as I can tell, eternit boards. Completely harmless as long as you don't drill or saw, it's only the dust from them that arises during processing that is dangerous. If you want to change them and are very worried, spray with water before you remove the screws so they can't create dust. Anxiety is definitely not something to ignore, people have had heart attacks from less anxiety-inducing situations than window sills.
Ha ha, no worries at all about either anxiety or the heart. But it just feels silly to keep them. At some point, you might have to move, and then the next buyer comes along and starts drilling and tearing into them thinking they are made of stone. Plus, I think they're ugly and was planning to remove them anyway. But they will end up at the recycling center in any case.Anna_H said:
I think, on the contrary, that they are quite nice, and unlike materials like wood or stone, they can withstand water. The previous owner of our house had replaced them with ugly pine boards and used the asbestos boards as garden borders. They were like new when we removed them.
But why?E evojenza said:
Stickan
M52S SBB said:
Stickan
I think the internet is at least as dangerous as asbestos.Staffans2000 said:
Stickan