If you've just drilled, cut, sanded or broken something that might contain asbestos in Aldgate, stop and read this. Acting calmly in the first few minutes makes a real difference. For urgent help, call 020 4652 3586.
Stop and leave the area
Stop work immediately and don't disturb the material any further. Leave the room, close the door behind you, and keep others — especially children and pets — out. The goal is to stop fibres spreading while you get advice.
What not to do
Don't sweep, vacuum with a normal hoover, or wipe with a dry cloth — that throws fibres into the air. Don't try to clear up the debris, and don't carry contaminated clothing through the rest of the property or take it home. Don't panic, either: brief, one-off exposure carries a much lower risk than repeated exposure, and sensible steps now keep that risk low.
Limit the spread
If you can do so without disturbing the material further, gently close windows in that room and turn off any fans or air conditioning that could circulate air elsewhere. Remove outer clothing that may be contaminated, place it in a sealed bag, and keep it aside for proper disposal rather than washing it with other laundry.
Get it assessed
The only way to know what you're dealing with is testing. A UKAS-accredited sample test confirms whether the material is asbestos, and air monitoring can check whether fibres are present in the air. From there we can advise on safe clean-up, removal and a clearance check so the space is safe to use again.
When it's urgent
Treat it as urgent if the material is friable (soft, crumbly insulation or board), if a large amount has been disturbed, or if the area can't be sealed off from where people live or work. In those cases, keep everyone out and call us straight away on 020 4652 3586 — we provide rapid response, air monitoring and safe removal.
A note on health
A single, short exposure is not the same as the long-term, repeated exposure linked to asbestos-related disease, and most one-off incidents are low risk when handled properly. If you're worried about your health, speak to your GP or the NHS, and keep a note of what happened. For workplace incidents, your employer and the HSE have reporting duties.
Frequently asked questions
I drilled one hole — should I be worried?
A single small disturbance, cleaned up properly, is low risk. Seal off the area, avoid disturbing it further, and get the material tested so you know what it was and whether any clean-up is needed.
Can I just clean it up myself?
For anything more than a tiny, bonded fragment, it's safer not to. Dry sweeping or normal vacuuming spreads fibres. Bag any clothing, keep people out, and get advice before cleaning.
How do I know if it was actually asbestos?
You can't tell by sight. Only a UKAS-accredited laboratory test on a sample can confirm it. We can take and test a sample quickly.
What should I do with contaminated clothing?
Bag it and seal it rather than washing it with other clothes. We can advise on proper disposal as part of dealing with the incident.