SAS Urban Survival Handbook by John Wiseman Read Free Book Online Page A

fumes given off by them—are toxic for up to a week after application. During this period:
     
■ Do NOT smoke or use naked flames near chemicals or treated areas—keep a fire extinguisher nearby
■ Turn off gas pilot lights in treated areas
■ Turn off electricity or isolate circuits in the area by removing fuses for at least 48 hours
■ Temporarily remove loft insulation and securely cover water tanks for at least two weeks, if treatment is in loft
■ Protect any rubber cables close to timber to be treated with sealer (shellac)—or cover with polythene sheet
■ If spraying, use a coarse spray, rather than a fine mist
■ Keep area well ventilated
■ Do NOT sleep in a treated area and try to avoid any use for at least a week after application—longer if possible
■ Do not eat, drink or smoke during treatment
■ Take a shower or bath immediately after finishing the work
     
    See DIY/CRAFT HAZARDS: Protective clothing
     
    The main object of treatment is to safeguard the main structural timbers of the house—the roof timbers and floor joists. Treatment is a hazardous process. Don’t hesitate to contact experts to deal with large infestations.
    Rotting wood—fences, outbuildings and piles of timber—may harbour any number of wood pests. Some pests don’t travel very far—others will seek out certain timbers. DON’T allow a large amount of wood to rot near your house—even fungal spores may spread.
    Shipping furniture around the world seems a very likely way of introducing new pests to a country. This has already happened with several of the species listed.
    Termites (in sub-tropical and tropical climates) may initially make their presence known in fences and outbuildings. DON’T wait for them to discover your house. If you see evidence of attack, or large ‘white ants’, the time has come to act.

ASBESTOS
     
    Asbestos is now considered a dangerous mineral. Inhalation of the tiny fibres (thousands would fit into a millimetre cube) may eventually lead to:
    Asbestosis: a scarring of the lung tissue, leading to restricted breathing and sometimes death.
    Mesothelioma: a form of cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen or chest. It is usually fatal and has been linked to exposure to asbestos dust.
    Lung cancer: although smoking is considered the primary cause of lung cancer, reports suggest that exposure to asbestos increases the risk considerably.

REMEMBER
     
    Not even a small piece of asbestos, such as a simmering mat for a stove, should be thrown into the wastebin. Waste disposal carts often crunch up rubbish and this would release fibres into the air. Dampen asbestos and double-wrap in polythene bags. Consult local government health departments for instructions on safe disposal locally.
     

Types of asbestos
     
    Most old asbestos looks greyish in colour, but in fact there are three main types: brown, blue and white—white being the most common. Blue and brown have most often been linked with illness and are seldom used now. To be on the safe side, treat ALL forms as extremely dangerous, with NO ‘safe’ level for exposure to dust and fibres.

Common uses for asbestos
     
     
◑ Oven gloves
◑ Old fire blankets, fire gloves
◑ Toasters, hairdryers, irons
◑ Tumbledryers
◑ Insulation round hot water pipes
◑ Wall cladding
◑ Ironing board iron rests
◑ Roofing
◑ Guttering, downpipes, flues
◑ Simmering pads
◑ Car brake linings and underseals
◑ Fire doors
◑ Old electrical storage heaters
◑ Old textured wall and ceiling coatings
◑ Ceiling tiles
◑ Flooring
     

What to do
     
    Sheet asbestos in good condition under layers of paint is best left where it is. Asbestos is at its most dangerous when friable (flaky and crumbly)—as is often the case with oven door seals and pipe insulation. NEVER drill, saw, sand or scrub asbestos. ALWAYS keep an eye open for signs of wear and tear. You should NEVER attempt large-scale removal yourself. Call an expert for advice.

IF YOU MUST TACKLE