Plaster and asbestos
#1
Hi
I am a little worried about the possible use of asbestos in plaster, namely that of lath
type and possibly later stuff too (I don't know age of building or any ages at which any modications may have occured). Since I know nothing about plaster, could you
please shed some light on this issue before commencing more work on another house. I appreciate that it is hard to determine content without analysis - but
am no longer at the property so cannot take a sample and not being a professional in this field, I have little idea.
Best regards - your help is most appreciated
Brett
I am a little worried about the possible use of asbestos in plaster, namely that of lath
type and possibly later stuff too (I don't know age of building or any ages at which any modications may have occured). Since I know nothing about plaster, could you
please shed some light on this issue before commencing more work on another house. I appreciate that it is hard to determine content without analysis - but
am no longer at the property so cannot take a sample and not being a professional in this field, I have little idea.
Best regards - your help is most appreciated
Brett
#2
quote:<HR>Originally posted by brettdonovan:
Hi
I am a little worried about the possible use of asbestos in plaster, namely that of lath
type and possibly later stuff too (I don't know age of building or any ages at which any modications may have occured). Since I know nothing about plaster, could you
please shed some light on this issue before commencing more work on another house. I appreciate that it is hard to determine content without analysis - but
am no longer at the property so cannot take a sample and not being a professional in this field, I have little idea.
Best regards - your help is most appreciated
Brett<HR>
Brett,
"Normally", there should be no asbestos in plaster. I have never heard of any instances of plaster containing asbestos. Having said that, it is very common to find asbestos insulation on piping in houses old enough to have plaster walls. The asbestos insulation is normally on the hotwater/steam heating pipes, and most often contained in the basement.
Rick
#3
Rick is correct, but only if modern plasters are considered. Formerly asbestos was used in cheap plaster jobs as a substitute for wool. It was also used in swimming pool plaster, was contained in older drywall joint compounds, and a host of other products. A list of suspected building products (by the EPA) exists here http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6pd/pd-t/asbmatl.htm
Asbestos is a concern only if it's disturbed or ingested. If you want to know more, roam the EPA site http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/asbestos/index.htm
Asbestos is a concern only if it's disturbed or ingested. If you want to know more, roam the EPA site http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/asbestos/index.htm