Up until 1992 bitumen products would often include Chrysotile white asbestos fibres. These were used as a binding agent to keep the matrix together. The concentration of asbestos was relatively low but aignificantly the sticky nature of the product means that the chances of fibre release are low even when the material is disturbed.
The most common use of asbestos bitumen is in sink pads which were used under stainless steel sinks to reduce the noise caused by running water. However, asbestos bitumen was also used in roofing felt, tile adhesive, damp courses, flashings and bitumen mastics (often referred to as bitumastics).
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Janet Blayney commented...
I am currently replacing stainless steel sinks throughout my building. How whould you suggest I have the sinks removed and taken from site? Is it safe to remove carefuly and bag or is bagging not required? any advice you can supply would be very useful
09/11/2010 13:37:10
Administrator commented...
Janet, thats a really tough to question to answer. This asbestos product is pretty much as safe as you can get and would only be hazardous if you were regularly removing the pads from the sinks. Theoretically you should double-bag the sink before disposal but I doubt very much that any recycling centre would insist upon this. Either way, I wouldn't remove the pads if you can avoid it because this will cause fibre-release albeit minimal.
10/11/2010 09:42:53
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