Hi,
I’m doing some remodling work in my cousins home, installing a sairway up to what will eventually be a finished 3rd floor (the first floor is rented out).
The project involves removing plaster. There is a plastic wall sealing off the work space in the kitchen, and in addition. The doorway into the kitchen on the other side of the wall is sealed with plastic and tape [outside the workspace]. We were going to start tomarrow, only the last two hours he’s done some more reading on plaster and asbestos and now he’s thinking maybe he ought to have it tested tomarrow and hold off on the work.
The only reason he’s worried is he and his wife just had a baby on Feb. 29 (They are she and the baby are staying at her parents house during all the demo). From what he read, it said bad things about asbestos—that’ll it’ll stay in the air up to 3 days, and when the wall comes down it’ll float into the rest of the house, and he’s just worried about bringing the new born baby into a contaminated enviorment.
Is it likely that the plaster in this 1920’s apartment has asbestos (it does have horse hair). From what I had read, everyone one said to just have the area sealed off and wear some good respirators, have a vaccum going, keep fans going (I bought some furnace filters to duck tape to some of those big box fans).
Of course before the wall came down, we’re planning on cleaning it as well as floor ceiling and walls.
Any suggestions?
Replies
I'm not an expert. But, I've never heard of asbestos being in plaster, and I can't imagine a reason why someone would have mixed any in. The fibers aren't particularly strong, nor all that widely available compared to horsehair and such. Plaster doesn't burn, so additional fireproofing would not have been needed. You are very likely safe from asbestos on this job.
Any fine dust is harmful to a baby, so keeping the baby somewhere else during the demo and cleanup is a wise and caring idea.
The only asbestos/plaster admix I've ever come across is the stuff that was used for lagging steam pipes.
The asbestos fibre is too small to act as a crack preventer [which is what the cow hair is doing] and fire-resistance is afforded by the plaster itself, without the necessity to add asbestos.
IanDG
There is some chance of asbestos in plaster, based on what I have read and heard in lectures. It's easy enough to take a sample and send it to a lab. Should cost about $30--why take the risk? On some jobs in older homes I send samples of various things for testing just to see. Occasionally there IS asbestos in stuff, and not always what you would expect (last found it in some roofing material). 3 days in the air? Try years!
yes there is asbestos in old plaster and drywall have it tested and then either coverd or properly removed if you are going to do the work your self wet the area down to hold the dust do not use your shopvac or you will be breathing the dust every time you use it.
watch out for bad or misinformed advice some guys dont think asbstos wil even hurt you "what are you afraid of a little dust"be safe not sorry if there is no asbestos great but if there is be careful
if you have more questions you can send to my email [email protected]
Yes, asbestos can be in plaster. Also in sheetrock and, even after they got it out of sheetrock, in sheetrock taping compound. The mud of about 25 years ago often tests positive as ACM (asbestos-containing material) i.e. it is more than 1% asbestos. But when taken as a whole (with the sheets of drywall) it averages to less than 1% and therefore isn't considered ACM for regulatory pruposes.
But to dry sand 0.5% content stuff without protection is a greater health risk than good work practices with 1.1% stuff. But they had to draw a line somewhere.
Plaster could be 0% or 2% or 8%. Don't know unless you test. An experienced inspector can tell in the field, but not officially. They have to send it to the lab, but they already now what the answer is based on the age and what they see with a hand lens.
The other, and probably bigger, concern in a 1920's building would be lead paint. Test for both if you're concerned.
-- J.S.
How true. But for the 1920's you don't really need to test for lead-based paint!
Edited to be clear: You don't need to test because it is surely there.
David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
Edited 4/19/2004 8:51 pm ET by David Thomas
Asbestos is a mineral. You are likely to find traces of it ion the soil around the house. It is common in older plaster, but the greater concern here is lead around the child.
Asbestos fibres can persist in the iar of a closed system for several years not just three days. But the fibres found in plaster are far less likely to be the long type that is associated with ling dangers, from what I've read.
As a professional, I would not do this work in the presence of small children.
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Thanks guys, you're great. I've now learned a little bit about plaster and sheetrock and all that good stuff.
My cousins had it tested today (monday). It is NEG. for asbestos, which is great.
ALSO...
We are renting a "Negative Air Machine" for $40 from some company he had remove asbestos in the basement, they're going to deliver it tomarrow along with some filters — they're really great. Even though we now know there's no asbestos, we're still gonna use it. I'll let you guys know how it does controling the dust, supposedly it does a really good job. Replaces the air in the room 4 times every hour — and I mean it filters everything out (from what I'm told). It's kinda neat, you close all the windows and doors, seal the room off, turn it on and go at the demo (in a controled manner of course). (and yes, a hose does run to a window for air output or something). I'll see if I can learn more about this "Negative Air Machine" tomarrow when it gets delivered to the house.
Again, thanks for all the info — this forum is the best.
-Alex
The coolest thing about a negative air machine is that you don't have to clean up the REST of the house when the job is done.David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska