Colchester Plasterboard Collection Service
In the interest of public safety, plasterboard can’t be put into skips that contain other general waste. This is because of the sulphates present in gypsum which have the potential to become harmful.
Why is putting plasterboard in skips prohibited?
Otherwise known as gypsum or drywall, plasterboard is a material which contains high levels of sulphates. When these sulphates come into contact with the general waste you would find in a skip, a chemical reaction takes place which results in the creation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
What is hydrogen sulfide?
Hydrogen sulfide is a gas which is most commonly found during the process of drilling for crude oils and natural gases. It’s heavier than the air and also colourless, which you might think would make it difficult to know if it’s there. However, it smells quite distinctly of rotten eggs. This means you’d definitely be able to tell if you’ve got a skip full of hydrogen sulfide.
How dangerous is hydrogen sulfide?
Impact on the environment
Hydrogen sulfide is considered to be extremely hazardous. It’s flammable, explosive, poisonous and corrosive. In high quantities, it can burn and corrode your skip or other areas where it has accumulated.
This creates a dangerous environment on both commercial and residential sites. While commercial sites may be better suited to dealing with hazardous materials, members of the public who are hiring a skip will be at higher risk. They may be unknowingly creating a significant health risk to themselves and those around them. And all it takes to create this risk is to mix plasterboard in with general waste.
Impact on health
As gas is a silent threat, it that may go undetected for long periods of time. Large quantities of H2S will be identifiable through the smell. But you may go for entire days of inhaling small amounts of hydrogen sulfide without realising it.
Short term exposure could lead to headaches, nausea, convulsions and irritations to both the skin and the eyes. Short term exposure in areas with higher concentrations of hydrogen sulfide could lead to more serious symptoms. These include but are not limited to injury to the central nervous system, unconsciousness or respiratory paralysis.
Longer-term exposure should be avoided at all costs.There are regulations in place which list good practice for those working in areas where hydrogen sulfide is present. This is necessary because long-term, repeated exposure can lead to brain damage, heart problems or in some cases, death.
How we can help you
Here at Colchester Asbestos Services, we specialise in removing and disposing of harmful substances from your premises. The risks associated with hydrogen sulfide are genuine, but also entirely avoidable. All you need to do is keep plasterboard separate from your skip and contact a professional with the required qualifications and insurance to remove the material.
We provide plasterboard collections in Colchester and across the Essex area. Plasterboard has the potential to be extremely dangerous if not dealt with correctly, which is why you shouldn’t take any risks.
Be aware that plasterboard can come in many forms. You can find plasterboard sheets, plasterboard tape and plasterboard fixings, all of which will need removing. If you’re not sure whether material is plasterboard or not, be sure to consult a professional just to be on the safe side.
Speak to an expert
If you’ve got plasterboard in Colchester, we’ll come and remove it. We’ll also collect plasterboard from Ipswich, Chelmsford, Braintree, Sudbury and even as far as Kent. Here is a full list of locations where we operate.
You can see the full list of locations we operate in here. For further information on our plasterboard and asbestos removal services, feel free to contact us at any time.