Asbestos News in Dublin

27 Sep 2017

Right up to the 1980's, asbestos was a common building material and this is because there was no awareness of the dangers present in Asbestos. In terms of asbestos cement pipes, the story is the same and, since not every bit of pipe has been replaced yet, it means around 10% of all cement pipes still contain asbestos; this is thought to be around 6000km worth.

Used extensively across Ireland and the whole of Europe, much of the material was actually produced in a large plant to the north of Drogheda until we recognised the dangers that existed. As we entered the 1990's, plastic piping was seen as a lighter, more durable, and safer solution which is why the transition occurred.

Despite the change nearly 30 years ago, 6,000km of asbestos piping remains in Ireland but the current belief is that it isn't providing a danger to anybody. As you may know, asbestos is only dangerous when the material is broken and the fibres are inhaled, which means the danger only exists when broken or disturbed.

Considering the lack of evidence supporting the theory that asbestos is dangerous when consumed, the large network of piping in Drogheda will not cause a problem and the WHO even suggested that a guideline for maximum exposure wasn't necessary.

Of course, the material is disturbed when replaced but experts say the system is always flushed whenever new piping is installed which means that all fibres are removed

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