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Post by SueA on Sept 3, 2014 19:11:31 GMT
I wondered if any of you had any advice on whether it would be safe to use run off from a roof containing asbestos to water the garden? In our new house we have a garage which has a corrugated roof which contains a small percentage of asbestos & the rain will run off the end where I'm hoping to have a shed so we are thinking of putting guttering on it & feeding this into a water butt beside the shed. I would be using the water on my salads & veg. in pots & raised beds nearby & in the greenhouse but am worried about using it on anything edible due to the asbestos. I know I've probably swallowed/inhaled plenty of asbestos in my life, I remember the flaky asbestos mats in the science lab at school etc. so maybe I'm being over cautious, what do you think?
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Post by daitheplant on Sept 3, 2014 19:21:12 GMT
If it`s grey or blue asbestos I would say, no. Why not ask your local Enviromental Health Department for their advice?
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Post by SueA on Sept 3, 2014 19:59:36 GMT
Thanks Dai, I'll have to check on that.
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Post by daitheplant on Sept 3, 2014 20:21:16 GMT
Don`t touch it until you find out Sue.
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Post by SueA on Sept 4, 2014 10:51:55 GMT
We think it's 'white' asbestos cement (only about 10% asbestos content) & it seems it's only the loose fibres which are dangerous if inhaled so the water runoff should be safe as long as the roof isn't breaking up, it looks in reasonable condition. I think I might put a water butt there but not use the water on anything like salads where the water could touch the leaves/fruits, I'll maybe just use it on ornamental plants instead. O.H. remembers his dad having a water butt there (it's my in-laws' old house) & he used to water his tomatoes/cucumbers with it & gave us lots of them to eat so we're probably immune as we survived!  |
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Post by daitheplant on Sept 4, 2014 18:30:11 GMT
If you are happy to use the water, then that is fine, but I agree, just use it on ornamentals. |
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