Asbestos in 70's Toaster. Pifco 1846.

[Station X]

No!

Never let your local authority know that you have asbestos waste. They'll insist that be disposed of safely and often charge you a very large sum of money to collect it. The charges may be detailed on their website.

Just take your toaster to a recycling centre and put it in the WEEE bin. You weren't to know it contained asbestos were you and no one at the centre is going to check.

[factory]

What about the employees at the recycling plant that the unsorted WEEE waste ends up, where it would probably end up being shredded without being examined?
The local household waste site here does take small quantities of asbestos, they do need to be contacted beforehand and the waste has to be double bagged or wrapped.

David

[Station X]

Other councils have different policies. Suffolk County Council suggests using Biffa and you can take a guess how much that will cost.

[G6Tanuki]

Many electricals shops will dispose of old appliances for you when you buy a new one from them. That would be another possible option for getting rid of the possibly asbestoid one.

[newlite4]

The worst toasters for asbestos content were the 1960s Dualit models where the actual case was made of moulded asbestos, see here:

https://www.mallams.co.uk/auction/lot/54-a-1960s-dualit-six-slice-toaster/?lot=163516&sd=1

I know where there is one of these and I would not want it even though the design is striking. Even so, these models are in demand among London based design afficionados for their art deco style.
Neil

[kalee20]

Looking at the photos, it does look like asbestos (and why not? It would be the material of choice at the time); it does look friable; and it is not exactly in a static position: there's movement, vibration, shaking...

I'm pragmatic about these things, and the vast majority of the dangers would have been during manufacture - which has already happened. But toasters have to be cleaned, involving inverting, shaking, blowing out... Using it is a No from me (and yes I do use regularly a DAC90 with asbestos-shielded curtain-burner dropper).

Disposal... dismantling is going to be far more hazardous than using it, and morally there is a duty of care to whoever ends up doing that. Personally I'd write on the side 'May contain asbestos,' and as a householder take to your recycling centre as first port of call. If no luck, then go to an electrical shop, buy a cheapo new toaster (£20) and ask if they'll take in the old one under the WEEE scheme.

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by newlite4

The worst toasters for asbestos content were the 1960s Dualit models where the actual case was made of moulded asbestos, see here:

https://www.mallams.co.uk/auction/lot/54-a-1960s-dualit-six-slice-toaster/?lot=163516&sd=1

I've no idea where that information is from, but I have a four-slice version in the same style and the case is unmistakably metallic (and the elements are on mica). I can't remember if I found anything of dodgy appearance inside, along with numerous other toasters the Dualit is just resting: our regular appliance is a Rowlett as it has one- and three-slice options rather than only two or four.

Paul

[The Philpott]

Disposal is a postcode lottery insofar as your local authority is concerned; Colchester sent a Biffa man round in an unmarked white van to collect my very suspicious garage soffits, they merely asked me to double bag the stuff and label it clearly. The limit was 40kg which i thought was quite generous...this was about 8 years ago, and it was FOC.

Dave

[emeritus]

We had a note with our rates last year that Essex would collect small amounts of domestic astbestos by arrangement FOC. I haven't needed to make use of this service so far.

[Station X]

Strange that an offer related to domestic waste should accompany a business rates demand.

I don't know about Essex but such offers are often limited to building materials such as corrugated roofing panels recovered during DIY works. Sometimes there's a limit of say two panels.

https://essex-self.achieveservice.com/service/asbestos_colle...ccept=yes&consentMessageIds%5B%5D=4

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by Station X

Strange that an offer related to domestic waste should accompany a business rates demand.

Council tax?

I call Octopus the Gas Board sometimes

[emeritus]

Council tax it was. Old habits die hard!

[fetteler]

Originally Posted by factory

What about the employees at the recycling plant that the unsorted WEEE waste ends up, where it would probably end up being shredded without being examined?
The local household waste site here does take small quantities of asbestos, they do need to be contacted beforehand and the waste has to be double bagged or wrapped.

David

Spot on David, excellent comment, I thoroughly agree.

Steve.

[Station X]

Companies that process Waste Electrical Equipment from Local Authority Recycling Centres will be well aware of the hazardous materials it's likely to contain and will take steps to protect their employes. These are big companies, not modern day Steptoes.

Apart from asbestos; lead, mercury, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Beryllium Oxide spring to mind.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/waste/waste-electrical.htm

[marqueemoon]

If I was going to leave such an item at my local recycling site (my LA doesn't accept any asbestos) then I'd double bag it and write on it that I suspect the item contains asbestos before leaving it. I wouldn't be taking any chances with other people's health. My Dad was killed by asbestos, so you'll understand my reticence to be blase about the stuff.

But, yeah, get rid of that toaster. Sooner rather than later.

[19Seventy7]

Hi all

Thanks for the replies, sorry I didn't get back to you all sooner, I was dealing with some family business.

I've decided to put the toaster away, sealed in a container, as it's not worth the risk. I'll have to keep an eye out with one with a safer insulator! I've already been exposed to too much asbestos in my life, I don't wish to expose myself to it any more! It seems a shame to chuck it out as it's in such good condition, it's a shame it was let down by the asbestos - I'm surprised that it was used, as the dangers were well known by the time this was sold in 1977.

In answer to posts #13 and #15, it's a Pifco 1846. Sold by Argos for £10.75 (about £60 in todays money!)

Perhaps controversial, but if I can't find one of a similar age (70's) without asbestos, I'm not totally put off the idea of replacing the insulation. I'll do some very thorough research before doing it to make sure it's safe to do. My dad also has plenty of experience with working with asbestos too, from his time in construction and ventilation, so has the knowledge to deal with it safely and properly. I may not do it in the end, but either way the decision wont be taken lightly!

I'm also really sorry to hear about your dad, Marqueemoon. I totally understand your concerns with it.

Thanks again all for the replies, they're much appreciated as usual!

'77