asbestos insulated safety box

[padalockwan]

My grandmother gave me an old safety box that I was thinking about keeping in a larger non fireproof safe. As I am assuming the safety box is fire resistant. But I noticed it had a sticker on it saying that it was asbestos lined.
Would it be ok to keep and use?
Or should it be disposed of?

[blue60]

its only a problem if the lining is breaking down, if you are worried then I would just dispose of it (better safe the sorry)

[nick08037]

If you are intending to use it as a fire resistant container for anything important you may want to be sure of its' rating and confirm that age and wear has not been an issue. In most cases the fire resistant material you noted must be undisturbed and fully encapsulated or otherwise handled properly to prevent harm. There are also issues regarding proper disposal.

[dll932]

Asbestos won't burn but modern fire resistant containers are lined with gypsum: It absorbs moisture and releases it if it gets hot, preventing paper from burning.

[padalockwan]

Here is the lockbox in question.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_yRMVcVmXRDVnR4QmxhdTYydFk/edit?usp=docslist_api

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_yRMVcVmXRDTGZiOWwxN3lzd3M/edit?usp=docslist_api

This spot around they lock is my biggest concern.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_yRMVcVmXRDWXd0MUNzQjZ4ZWM/edit?usp=docslist_api

[femurat]

I wouldn't risk to breath asbestos particles just to play with an old box.
I see the cracks and holes around the lock and I agree with your concern.
Try to find a legit way to get rid of it.

Good luck

[MatrixBlackRock]

Would it be ok to keep and use? Or should it be disposed of?

While the box looks like crap, I wouldn't let the asbestos liner concern me too much, asbestos, while proven to be health hazard for those who have been involved on long term exposure to it, is really a beguine substance that can be managed by simple things like not breathing the dust of disturbed asbestos or washing your hands after handing it.

Think about this, there are literally hundreds of thousands of homes in the U.S. that have asbestos siding, think a home wrapped in what is in your box and it, unless disturbed as in drilled, poses no health hazard to the occupants.

If you are really concerned about leakage around the lock, seal it up with some enamel based paint.

Wayne

[tomasfuk]

I think the same way. Maybe I would prefer a transparent silicone, well pushed into the openings, for sealing it.

[phoneman85]

Would it be ok to keep and use? Or should it be disposed of?

While the box looks like crap, I wouldn't let the asbestos liner concern me too much, asbestos, while proven to be health hazard for those who have been involved on long term exposure to it, is really a beguine substance that can be managed by simple things like not breathing the dust of disturbed asbestos or washing your hands after handing it.

Think about this, there are literally hundreds of thousands of homes in the U.S. that have asbestos siding, think a home wrapped in what is in your box and it, unless disturbed as in drilled, poses no health hazard to the occupants.

If you are really concerned about leakage around the lock, seal it up with some enamel based paint.

Wayne

From what I understand, this is true. My house has asbestos siding from 1950, and it lasts forever. When I have to drill on it, I wet it down and use a P100 (HEPA) respirator just in case, but it seems to be people who have had chronic (long term) exposures who have gotten health problems.

Here, you can dispose of asbestos in the trash as long as it's double bagged, but this may vary from place to place. Asbestos is not a big hazard to the environment, just people. Not like lead and other chemicals like dioxin and PCB's which can get into groundwater.

As long as you don't mess with the lining or create dust, you should be fine, but if you are really concerned, just pitch it, but check with the landfill if this is OK first.