James Mansfield,  Sunday, 15 January 2023

 

When selling a property built before July 1997, a report must be provided indicating whether the property contains asbestos. This report must be prepared by a certified inspector. The report should detail the locations and materials in the property where asbestos is present. The report must be available before the signing of the Compromis de Vente, the preliminary sales contract. By law, the following parts of the property must be inspected: walls and wall coverings, floors and ceilings, pipes, and insulation. Roofs are excluded from the inspection.

How dangerous is asbestos?

Asbestos occurs naturally. From 1945 until the early 1990s, asbestos was used in construction in France. Asbestos is found in various types of building materials and was used for its durability and heat resistance.

There are three types of asbestos:

“Blue” asbestos (Crocidolite) and “brown” asbestos (Amosite) can cause respiratory issues and cancers, including mesothelioma, when inhaled. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that can develop over a period of 10 to 50 years. It mainly occurs in people who have worked in the asbestos industry.

“White” asbestos (Chrysotile) is sometimes mistakenly thought to be harmless. However, the French government does not distinguish between the three types of asbestos. On you can find more information about the health risks of “white” asbestos.

Use of asbestos in homes

Asbestos is found in construction materials such as cement, plaster, and paint. Asbestos-containing cement is found in chimneys, drainpipes, and wall panels. These wall panels are often used in French homes to hide damp spots. Asbestos is also found in roofing sheets. These asbestos cement products are hard and gray/white in color, and rarely more than 6 mm thick. They contain about 10% “white” asbestos, also known as Eternit.

Older floor tiles may contain up to 5% asbestos fibers. Wall and ceiling coatings may contain much higher amounts of asbestos.

In commercial buildings, many insulation panels with asbestos were used in the past. In these buildings, steel beams were often treated with asbestos spray. You can also find asbestos-based panels in suspended ceilings and asbestos used to insulate pipes. This mostly involves the use of “blue” asbestos.

When is asbestos dangerous to health?

As long as asbestos-containing material is not damaged, there is no increased risk. The rule of thumb is to leave it undisturbed. You can treat it with a primer or coating if necessary. It’s important to inspect asbestos-containing materials every two to three years.

If you remove asbestos-containing materials yourself, take the following precautions: dampen the surface and remove the pieces whole. Do not cut or break them. Ensure that no dust or loose fibers are released.

Some asbestos-containing products, such as pipe insulation, deteriorate over time. Since this often involves “blue” asbestos, you should never remove it yourself. Hire a specialized company to remove the asbestos. This can be an expensive task. Removing “white” asbestos is cheaper because it is not as dangerous as “blue” asbestos. Be cautious of companies charging high fees for removing “white” asbestos.

Reliability of the “Asbestos Report”

Although the seller is legally required to provide an “Asbestos Report,” a Constat de recherche d’amiante, it is advisable to hire a qualified company yourself for an inspection. The company can identify all materials likely to contain asbestos and advise on what measures to take.

Asbestos in nearby properties

Also, consider the situation in the vicinity of your property. Are there many sheds and outbuildings with asbestos roofs in the area? Neighbors might hire unqualified workers to remove the asbestos, which could cause problems for you. It’s wise to take this factor into account when purchasing a property in France. By 2024, all asbestos roofs in France must be replaced. It’s likely that some companies will not strictly adhere to the regulations.