What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the generic term for a range of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals that are very strong, heat and acid resistant and can be woven together. A distinction is made between firmly and weakly bonded asbestos products. Asbestos fibers from weakly bound asbestos products in buildings can be released into the indoor air through aging, handling and external influences. In the case of firmly bonded asbestos, the addition of cementitious binders means that the release of fibers without mechanical action is not to be expected, or only to a small extent. When handling these building materials, fibers are released that are respirable and can lead to illnesses. The mere presence of the above-mentioned building materials in a building does not mean that there is a specific hazard.

Asbestos deposits in the buildings of TU Dortmund University

Until the end of the 1970s, asbestos was used worldwide as a "standard building material", mainly to ensure fire protection. Asbestos cement in particular is still used in many buildings today and remains harmless if not mechanically processed. At TU Dortmund University, some building facades are made of asbestos cement. In particular, there are also window sills and fire doors with asbestos fillings. Asbestos has been safely installed or is encapsulated. All health and safety measures are observed and documented during construction work or repairs, e.g. when replacing locking cylinders.

Weakly bound asbestos products are mainly found in sealing rings, sealing cords and various other forms, mainly in the technical sector.

Plaster and filler containing asbestos

The Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW as building owner and landlord informs that plasters, fillers and building adhesives that may contain small traces of asbestos may have been used in the construction and modernization of buildings up to 1995. The BLB NRW has prohibited TU Dortmund University from interfering with the potentially asbestos-containing components (walls, columns, ceilings, etc.) without prior sampling. The BLB NRW is currently not in a position to provide concrete information about the actual asbestos content in the affected buildings.

We regret to inform you that mechanical interventions (e.g. drilling) on potentially asbestos-containing building components without prior sampling are therefore prohibited until further notice. This applies to employees and external companies. If mechanical intervention is necessary, please report this to Department 6, which will then arrange the necessary measures.

Information is available on the service portal.

Health hazards in the affected buildings are expressly excluded for normal building use. Buildings constructed in 1996 or later are considered to be asbestos-free.