Dodgy Roof

[seonai]

With regard to a post on Donna's "Moving" thread I wrote the following to LaoPo and would appreciate any advice.

"What is your opinion? It's the standard roof that Thais in the counrtyside put on top of a traditional wooden house on stilts. Kind of corregated sections????? Grey colour. Snaps if you stand on it. Does that sound like it ?"

I mean how do I really know if it is asbestos and what do I do next. It's not so easy for me to just up sticks and move.

I have been jolly sick since we moved in here though - all chest related and nose dripping etc.

I am worried now

[Bryan in Isaan]

The sickness could be a number of things, such as allergies. There are many toxins here, natural and man made which we don't have or even know about back in the western world or in more temperate climates.

I am also wondering about asbestos. Any thin concrete panel has a reinforcing fiberous material. That material could be asbestos or it could be something relatively harmless like fiberglass. Thin concrete panel is used not only for corregated roofing, but also as flat wall panels, roof closures or any place a durable flat panel is needed. I have been cutting those panels, so it would sure be nice to know for sure if it is asbestos.

Bryan

[slackula]

Your roof is *probably* made from gypsum according to my wife, but if you are suffering from respiratory problems for a long time you should certainly consult a physician.

[seonai]

Hi. Firstly sorry for the way I presented this post - I was not very clear about what I was trying to say!

Yes Bryan, well I'd like to find out what this material is too. Slackula I am almost certain it's not gypsum as I have seen gypsum before. (Then again I don't know much about all this stuff).

Anyone know how to ask in Thai regards asbestos?

[LaoPo]

Hi. Firstly sorry for the way I presented this post - I was not very clear about what I was trying to say!

Yes Bryan, well I'd like to find out what this material is too. Slackula I am almost certain it's not gypsum as I have seen gypsum before. (Then again I don't know much about all this stuff).

Anyone know how to ask in Thai regards asbestos?

Sorry, don't know, but maybe you can (or cannot, hopefully) recognize something here? :

http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&h...of+&btnG=Search

LaoPo

[seonai]

Apparently this kind of roof is called "cha bang" in Thai. Now all I need is a dictionary

[lopburi3]

I would not lose any sleep over it. Almost every house in Thailand has the cement tile roof and I have not heard of any mass deaths due to it. The whole subject of asbestos in my opinion was highly overplayed to the benefit of lawyers and removal companies. Unless you were working mining it or cutting it there just was not that much danger. Once the fiber is in cement it should be harmless to minimal danger under normal conditions.

[seonai]

Well with a dictionary "asbestos" translates as Reh Yai Hin......... but whether this type of roofing is that under another name........ ?

[LaoPo]

I would not lose any sleep over it. Almost every house in Thailand has the cement tile roof and I have not heard of any mass deaths due to it. The whole subject of asbestos in my opinion was highly overplayed to the benefit of lawyers and removal companies. Unless you were working mining it or cutting it there just was not that much danger. Once the fiber is in cement it should be harmless to minimal danger under normal conditions.

I second with that, Seonai. Even if your roof is made of Asbestos.

I'm sorry if I worried you too much with my comments.

I don't know however, if someone has cut recently into the roof lately(cutting, sawing etc.) or that it has cracks, is broken or something.

If not, you are probably not exposed to inhalation of the fiber.

However, it is still strange that you have such a chest pain and I would certainly have that checked if I were you!

Good luck!

BTW: did you find any of the photos on the link (in my previous message) that look similar to your roof?

If not, I wouldn't worry too much.

LaoPo

Edited April 23, 2006 by LaoPo

[JohnC]

I doubt if your panels are asbestos, however when left alone it is stable, its when its disturbed (broken up, cut etc) that the fibres are released that cause the problems when they penetrate the airways(asbestosis, lung cancer etc) hence when it needs removing from a building in the UK it has to be done by a specialist company. On the bright side there is another type of panel that looks similiar but is not asbestos and totally safe. Im having one of my c.r.a.f.t moments and cant remember what its called. I had it in my workshop in UK and caled a specialist in to check it out.

[seonai]

TH=hanks guys, still don't know what to think, but thanks. LaoPo - my roof looks exactly like the first 5-6 of the ones on your link

[LaoPo]

TH=hanks guys, still don't know what to think, but thanks. LaoPo - my roof looks exactly like the first 5-6 of the ones on your link

2 things I would think of:

1. your+family health; have yourself checked (because of the chest-pain).

2. talk to your husband and landlord what to do...

Good luck!

LaoPo

[Dragonman]

Apparently this kind of roof is called "cha bang" in Thai. Now all I need is a dictionary

"chabang' normally means gypsum, after the production area in Laem Chabang. I doubt very much if it is however! Asbestos/Concrete the norm. But as others have said, not normally much to worry about. Get an x-ray if you are concerned.

[bina]

seo,

did u get my pm?

once again:

allergies to various things

chest pains from asbestos will only happen many many years from exposure

probably cement asbestos or gypsum (once mixed and not falling apart, the roof has no health hazards to u unless u start to cut them or break them up)

u can check OSHA sites for health/hygiene (office of safety and health) for any country : america has a good site for asbestos (working with asbestos etc etc)

for chest tightness and drippy nose: sounds like allergy to molds/mildews or something in the house

go to good allergist/respiratory specialist fro asthma/allergy checks