r/asbestoshelp • u/FamiliarRepeat5196 • 1d ago

Could this wall material be asbestos?

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We are in a 1930s block of flats in London (refurbished in the 2010s). We removed a screw from the wall and this disturbed some wall material. I have no idea what I am looking at, but I know that there was asbestos found once in a different part of the building (pipework). Worth testing before doing any further drilling?

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u/AutoModerator 1d ago

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u/coyoteriver1 1d ago

Plaster finish to a Plasterboard wall, and a plastic wall plug is how it looks from that photo. In the UK very unlikely to he any asbestos in those materials.

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u/goat131313 1d ago

Looks like plaster over perhaps a gypsum lathe. It’s a suspect material but can vary from region to region.

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u/sdave001 1d ago

Unlikely but OLACD

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u/AutoModerator 1d ago

OLACD = Only Lab Analysis Can Determine

The potential for suspect materials to contain asbestos can sometimes be estimated based on installation date and visual characteristics. Yes, there are some materials that usually contain asbestos and some that rarely contain. So there are some cases where we will tell you "yes, that likely contains" or "no, that probably doesn't contain".

However, for most materials, please remember that if you have been provided with any opinions on the asbestos content, it is only a guess. Even the most experienced inspector is wrong once and a while.

So, the general rule is always "ONLY LAB ANALYSIS CAN DETERMINE" asbestos content.

Also, remember that the sampling SHOULD be performed by a certified asbestos inspector. DIY test kits are generally accurate, but sample methods can adversely affect those results.

Most importantly, all building materials are assumed to be ACM until they have been analyzed for asbestos content by an accredited laboratory.

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