Although asbestos usage is no longer imported and has been banned, it still remains in many household appliances that were manufactured prior to the late 1970's, such as storage heaters, and old gas fires. A lot of people are not only oblivious to the dangers of asbestos but are also unaware what it looks like.
Are Storage Heaters Containing Asbestos Dangerous?
Miter Saw Blade
As a rule storage heaters are perfectly safe providing that they are not damaged or tampered with, i.e. been dismantled and then put back together again, as damage to the asbestos sheets (which is used as a fire retardant) as it can cause the sheet to release asbestos dust and fibres. These fibres can be inhaled into the lungs where they can cause asbestos related disease such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Many storage heaters manufactured before 1975 contain asbestos, and you may have purchased a property where these have been installed.
If you suspect that a storage heater does contain asbestos in your possession:
DO NOT: Dismantle it to see if you can locate asbestos sheeting. (Dismantling and removal of the asbestos should be carried out by an expert)
OR : Dump it because you are unsure as to what to do with it! (Simply dumping it will put other unsuspecting people at risk, including inquisitive children).
What should I do if I want to Remove or dispose of them?
If you have any storage heaters on your premises that you no longer require you should have them removed by a licensed contractor.