There are different types of asbestos and many different products that contain asbestos. Work with some types of asbestos containing material puts you are greater risk than others depending upon whether the fibres are disturbed and released into the air you breath. If you do not need to remove the asbestos and it is in good condition and not likely to be disturbed the safest thing you can do is leave it alone and check it every now and again to see whether its condition has worsened.

Home owners should not carry out any work with the following types of asbestos because the fibres are easily released into the air you breath and you would be putting your health at risk:-

• Insulation (includes lagging and infill, preformed sections of pipe insulation and millboards);
• Coatings (includes fire protection mixtures, applied by spray or hand, and decorative and textured finishes); and
• Insulation Board  (is a lightly compressed board made from asbestos fibre and hydrated Portland cement or calcium silicate with other filler materials and can be used for structural purposes e.g. as a partition).

Instead, home owners must employ the services of a company that is licensed to work with these kinds of asbestos.

The Council does not provide an asbestos survey service so if you are not sure whether the material you have contains asbestos it is best to presume that it does and treat it as such rather than take the risk.

Home owners may however carry out work with the following type of asbestos: -

• Asbestos cement (normally found in the form of roofing sheets, cladding, wall boards, soffits, gutters, drainpipes and flues);
• Articles made of rubber, plastic, resin or bitumen, but which also contain asbestos (e.g. vinyl floor tiles, electric cables and roofing felts); or
• Other asbestos products which may be used at high temperature but have no insulation purposes (e.g. gaskets, washers, ropes and seals)

Homeowners can carry out work with asbestos cement, as the asbestos is mainly bound into the cement and the fibres are unlikely to become airborne and breathed in.  Homeowners are strongly advised to take sensible precautions as described on the Directgov website.

For more information: -

Access ‘Asbestos in the Home’ guidance leaflet

Access the Health and Safety Executive's 'a14 asbestos assentials factsheet'.

Bournemouth residents can take a limited amount of asbestos cement products or other lower risk asbestos waste to Millhams Community Recycling Centre at Kinson (accessed from the A348 Ringwood Road at Longham). There is only a limited capacity for this kind of waste at Millhams, therefore it is advisable to phone the site before setting off on (01202) 567352 to make sure that your waste can be accommodated.  It is also advisable to visit the site midweek, avoiding weekends where possible. The amount that can be deposited is currently restricted to a maximum of six 6’x2’ sheets of asbestos cement, four 6’x4’ sheets, or eight black bags of asbestos containing material.  However, this may be subject to change so it is advisable to double check with the site before making your journey.  On entering you will be asked for proof of residency ID such as Council Tax bill or photo ID such as driving licence.  Trade waste is not allowed.

Opening times are:

8am-7pm  1st of April - 31st of October
8am-5pm  1st of November – 31st of March
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day