Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

Does anyone know the actual legal position for selling products that contain asbestos. I'm involved in spares for a club, and we have a number of gaskets that may or may not contain asbestos and some NOS that definatly will contain asbestos.
If it is illegal to sell anything with asbestos in these days under any circumstances (and I suspect it is) we will have to dispose of them, I wondered if there was any allowances for old original spec stuff, used in old vehicles?
Have searched the inter web and found the usual "unsubstantiated" opinions, but can't find anything to see if there is an "exception" that means we won't have to bin a load of good usable stuff!

There seems to be a difference if its "White" asbestos, anyone know what flavour of asbsetos was used in gaskets?

Cheers

Dave

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

In the late 1990's in my motor factoring days, we had to dispose of all gaskets containing asbestos, and as far as I know, traders are no longer allowed to sell any that do.
Not sure though whether it's any different if you are a private seller.....

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh

Hi Dave,

It looks like you can't even give away such items (legally).

Peter

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/faq.htm

"Can I sell an item that contains asbestos?

No. It is illegal to supply any article containing asbestos, whether for money, or free of charge."
_________________
https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

Thanks

I suspected that it was a no no! Sad

The dilemma is that technicaly we should bin head gaskets for some quite rare models, and by rare I don't mean that they are particually valuable.......

Possibly we could run a auction where folk bid for the privilege of disposing of the gasket correctly.......

Dave

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:41 pm Post subject:

Never mind the law, just keep quiet and say nowt. They haven't got anything like enough manpower to police these things and will only find you if you go looking for them. If somebody invented an asbestos camera and you could get fined for it the situation might be different...

petermeachem · Joined: 23 Sep 2013 Posts: 358 Location: Chichester Sussex

Brilliant idea, it's not like the stuff kills you is it

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22783 Location: UK

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Talking of which, I have 6 head gaskets for a Triumph 2000, a car I disposed of 5 years ago.
If anyone wants to dispose of them for me, then pm me .

PAUL BEAUMONT · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

There is an interesting article about asbestos in the current FBHVC Newsletter.
It seems that there is an exemption to the law concerning selling products that contain asbestos if it is in a historic vehicle, but this does not extend to supplying components, as I read it.

mikeC · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:28 am Post subject:

There are at least two traders who are still selling NOS items containing asbestos (both on-line and at autojumbles) - whether there is some form of exemption, or whether they are just hoping no-one blows the whistle, I don't know...

norustplease · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 825 Location: Lancashire

At least gaskets will remain inert when installed. Its NOS brake shoes and linings that concern me. That stuff actually powders in use and sits in your brake drums and mechanisms, waiting to be inhaled at your next service!
_________________
1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV

petermeachem · Joined: 23 Sep 2013 Posts: 358 Location: Chichester Sussex

I know, I used to happily blow out brake drums and file the shoes down. I also used some asbestos tape to wrap around the exhaust.

JohnDale · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:02 pm Post subject:

As an apprentice working on cars & commercials it was the norm not to be able to see across the (large) workshop due to brake dust & it never affected me. Funny thing is I now get out of breath tying my shoelaces - wonder if there's a connection - surely not?
I thought it was only the hairy type of asbestos that was restricted, like the corrugated sheets etc but I've been wrong before.
Cheers,JD
_________________
1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

andycars · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 239 Location: South Wales

Plenty of old gaskets, shoes and clutch plates for sale in "proper" autojumbles - never heard of an epidemic of asbestosis following a windy a/j!

Keith D · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:57 am Post subject:

I had two close friends die of mesothelioma, the cancer associated with asbestos. One was a plumber and the other a machinist. It was not a nice way to go. There is almost no such thing as remission with it.

Whatever we all do with clutches and brakes - don't breath the dust in. It seems to have a habit of getting you later in life, many years later.

The worst of the lot is blue asbestos. It was mined in Marble Bar (Western Australia) and the death toll of workers in later life is horrendous.

Keith