Asbestos-containing fire incident

Asbestos-containing fire incident

What are the health risks from asbestos-containing materials after a fire?

During a fire, small fragments of asbestos-containing material may be carried in smoke and deposited on nearby properties, gardens, streets or vehicles.

If asbestos-containing material is handled, broken, or disturbed, fibres may be released. For this reason, members of the public should not handle debris and should allow assessment and clean-up to be carried out by trained personnel.

The risk from a brief exposure following an asbestos-containing fire is generally considered to be low. The most important precaution is to avoid disturbing debris and to follow official public health advice from your local authority or emergency responders.

What should I do if there is an asbestos-containing fire near me?

Follow instructions provided by the local authority, emergency services or other responders. Depending on the circumstances, this may include advice to remain indoors, avoid the area, or evacuate.

• If you smell smoke, stay indoors and close all windows and doors.
• Do not touch, move or remove any debris from the fire.
• Keep children and pets away from debris, ash and soot.
• Where possible, remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed during the clean-up work.

What symptoms should I look out for? 

Most people affected by an asbestos incident do not require medical assessment unless they develop symptoms related to smoke or dust exposure.

Smoke, dust and irritation may cause temporary symptoms such as:

• coughing
• sore throat
• eye irritation
• shortness of breath
• worsening of asthma or COPD symptoms

If you develop such symptoms or have ongoing concerns about your health, contact your GP for advice or seek other appropriate medical attention. 

I have asthma or another lung condition. Should I take extra precautions? 

People with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be more sensitive to smoke, and dust/airborne particles released during a fire, regardless of whether asbestos is present. Smoke can irritate the airways and may trigger of worsen asthma or COPD symptoms.

Avoid the affected area where possible, carry your usual medication, and seek advice from your GP if symptoms develop or worsen. 

For guidance on protecting your health at different air quality levels, see the EPA advice: https://airquality.ie/information/air-quality-index-for-health 

What if I accidentally touched asbestos debris?

Brief skin contact with asbestos-containing material is not generally considered harmful.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

If your eyes are irritated, gently rinse them with clean, lukewarm water.

What should I do if my clothes have dust on them after an asbestos-containing fire?

If dust is present on clothing, avoid shaking the clothing. Clothing can generally be washed as normal. Follow any additional advice provided by local authorities if specific precautions are recommended following the incident.

If clothing was drying outdoors during the fire, wash it again before wearing it to remove any dust that may have settled on it.

What if I found debris in my garden or around my property?

Do not touch, move, sweep, vacuum or pressure-wash suspected asbestos debris.

If you find material that may have come from an asbestos incident, leave it in place and follow instructions from the local authority or clean-up contractors. Keep children away from any debris in or around your house.

Handling, breaking or disturbing debris may release asbestos fibres into the air.

What if asbestos debris entered my house?

Avoid sweeping, dry dusting or vacuuming suspected asbestos debris. Follow advice from local authorities or specialist contractors regarding assessment and cleaning.

They may advise that is it safe to clean light dust or ash from hard surfaces using a wet cleaning technique. If this is the case, you should:

• Lightly dampen the area, and
• Wipe with a damp cloth or damp disposable paper towel.
• Used cloths or paper towels should be placed in a plastic bag, sealed and disposed of with normal household waste.
• This helps prevent dust becoming airborne.

Keep children away from any debris, dust, or ash in your house.

Should I wear a mask outdoors? 

Residents are advised to avoid the affected area where possible. Ordinary face coverings may not protect against asbestos fibres. Specialist respiratory protection is only effective if correctly fitted and used.

You may see specialist clean-up workers wearing masks and protective clothing. These precautions are used because workers may be handling asbestos-containing materials or working in areas where asbestos fibres are present.

Is my drinking water safe? 

There is no risk from asbestos in drinking water as the risk is from breathing in fibres.

If there are concerns regarding the public water supply following a fire, information will be provided by Uisce Éireann. Follow any advice issued by the relevant authorities.  

Is it safe to eat fruit or vegetables from my garden? 

As a precaution, wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Avoid consuming produce that is visibly contaminated with dust, ash, soot or debris. Follow any advice issued by the relevant authorities. You should also avoid the use of lawn mowers, leaf-blowers and hedge trimmers if there is debris, soot, or ash around your house.

Can children play outside? 

Children should avoid areas with visible dust, ash, soot or debris until clean-up operations are complete and further advice is issued. 

What about pets? 

Pets should be kept away from visible dust, ash, soot and debris. If pets may have come into contact with contaminated material, wipe or wash them down where practical to reduce dust being brought indoors. 

Can I open my windows? 

Follow any advice issued by emergency responders or local authorities regarding ventilation and opening windows.

If visible dust or debris is present around windows, doors, rooflights or ventilation systems, avoid disturbing it and await further advice.

Should I switch off my heat pump or air conditioning system?

In most situations, there is no need to switch off domestic air-to-water heat pumps, as these are closed systems and do not draw outside air into heating water.

If a property has a mechanical ventilation system that draws outside air directly into the building, follow any advice issued by the local authority during the incident.

Is there a test I can have to see if I have been exposed to asbestos?

There is no medical test that can determine whether a person has experienced a single, short-term asbestos exposure. Health effects associated with asbestos generally occur many years after exposure and are most commonly associated with those who have had significant occupational exposure that is ongoing and repeated.

For most members of the public affected by an asbestos incident, the risk of long-term health effects is considered low. Talk to your own doctor if you have any concerns.  

Information, Data and Reports for