Asbestos

What is it and where will it be found?

Asbestos is a mineral fibre that was used for many years due to its strength and resistance to heat and oil.

It’s classed as 'special waste' which means that it has to be dealt with differently. It’s not counted as household waste.

Asbestos can be found in many forms and the main types tend to be either soft or hard asbestos.  Soft asbestos is a fibrous insulating material and may still be found in older properties as pipe lagging, insulating board, ceiling tiles, internal walls and panels.  

Hard asbestos is much more common.  This hard solid sheet material was used extensively for shed roofs and garages, other asbestos cement products, ironing board mats and to provide insulation around fires or others heat sources.

Asbestos in the home

Lewes District Council and the Health & Safety Executive are unable to take action to remove or test for asbestos in domestic premises, although both can offer general advice.

Sampling and identification of asbestos should be undertaken by organisations offering this service, who can be found in 'yellow pages' under Asbestos Removal.

For a list of approved waste disposal sites and advice on disposal at these sites you should contact East Sussex County Council Waste Management (hazardous waste) on 01273 482153.

The Health & Safety Executive are responsible for enforcing the Asbestos Regulations in domestic premises and any matters concerning removal of larger quantities, particularly where builders are involved, should be referred to them.  The local address is:

Health & Safety Executive
East & South East Division
Phoenix House
23-25 Cantelupe Road
East Grinstead
West Sussex RH19 3BE
Tel: 01342 334200 Fax: 01342 334301

For more general advice please:

(a) Contact Environmental Health on 01273 484362, e-mail  ehealth@lewes.gov.uk or fax  01273 484451.

(b) View our leaflet 'Asbestos in the Home - Advice to Householders (see "relevant documents" section)

(c) Visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/

(d) Contact East Sussex County Council Waste Management (hazardous waste) on 01273 482153