Is old horse hair plaster bad for you? Does horsehair plaster have any dangers?
Anthrax surveys and tests on horse hair and other animal hairs within plaster can feature within older buildings.
Anthrax can live in a wide range of conditions, not only within the textile industries but also within traditional plaster materials within old or historical buildings.
Horse hair and other animal hairs have been used in traditional plaster for hundreds of years, but it wasn't until 1919 that control measures were put in place to make them safe.
In certain circumstances, such as during the renovation or demolition of a building, the possibility of anthrax within the traditional plasters should be considered.The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 require control measures to be put in place to reduce health risks in the construction industry.
Similar to other hazardous material surveys, the process of undertaking an anthrax survey is similar.The property will be inspected by the surveyor to identify period plaster finishes with hair.Horse and animal hair plaster can be applied to wooden laths which make up a wall or ceiling or directly to a solid surface such as brick, block-work, stone or render.It's not important to know what type of hair is present as the potential for anthrax is dependent on any hairs present rather than which animal the hair are derived from.
In order to make any results meaningful, there are particular requirements in terms of size of sample and coverage which the surveyor must adhere to.The correct number of samples must be taken in order to provide the client with the results they can rely on.All samples are cultured over a 10 day period in order to determine if they contain anthrax.
Within period residential property or mixed use commercial buildings where lath & plaster or plaster to solid substrates are the typical construction methods for the walls and ceilings, anthrax testing will be of particular consideration.Fire damage or escapement of water will be the case.The properties built prior to 1919 should be subject to a survey.
After the survey inspection and laboratory results have been processed, a full report is then complied to assess the risk before any work is done.
A single spot test can be conducted in isolation if the occurrence of hair in plaster is restricted to a single wall or ceiling.In incidences of accidental damage or where escapement of water has occurred, results are required in this location only.
One of our consultants will be happy to discuss your requirements if you contact us.
Over the last 8 years, we have used EnviroHive.We have found them to be very professional and helpful.
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Anthrax surveys and tests on horse hair and other animal hairs within plaster can feature within older buildings.