MORE ABOUT ASBESTOS

Find out more about asbestos including why it is so dangerous, where it can be found and more in our frequently asked questions section.

WHY IS ASBESTOS DANGEROUS

Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year, this is more than the number of people killed on the road.
Around 20 tradesman die each week as a result of past exposure.
However, asbestos is not just a problem of the past. It can be present today in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000.

When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases. These diseases will not affect you immediately; they often take a long time to develop, but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything. This is why it is important that you protect yourself now.

Asbestos can cause the following fatal and serious diseases:

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.

Asbestos-related lung cancer

Asbestos-related lung cancer is the same as (looks the same as) lung cancer caused by smoking and other causes. It is estimated that there is around one lung cancer for every mesothelioma death.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath, and in severe cases can be fatal.

Pleural thickening

Pleural thickening is generally a problem that happens after heavy asbestos exposure. The lining of the lung (pleura) thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed, and can cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND ASBESTOS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals, which are exploited commercially for their individual properties, such as high tensile strength and resistance to chemical erosion. There are six types of asbestos, the three below are most commonly found in the UK: Crocidolite (Blue) Chrysotile (White) Amosite (Brown) The other three types (Fibrous Actinolite, Tremolite and Anthophylite) can be found in the UK but were not commonly used in the majority of building products. Asbestos was frequently used in building materials from the 1950’s through to the 1980’s.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos is dangerous because when materials containing the substance are disturbed, small asbestos fibres are released into the air. If inhaled, they have the potential to cause serious disease. The health issues caused by asbestos are not instantly visible, often taking a long time to develop.

How can I tell if asbestos is in my building?

If your building was built before the year 2000, and it’s not been refurbished since, asbestos might be present in it. If you’re unsure, you can order an asbestos survey, whereby professionals can inspect your property for the presence of the substance, and then advise you accordingly on the next steps.

How much will an Asbestos Survey cost?

That depends on the size and age of your building. We may be able to quote you over the phone or by email if you have sufficient information (i.e.: building plans or measurements).

What jobs can expose me to asbestos?

There’s a wide range of jobs that can result in exposure to asbestos, either by accident or a direct consequence of that particular line of work. Such jobs include: Heating and ventilation engineers Demolition workers Plumbers Painters and decorators Construction workers Carpenters and joiners Gas engineers Electricians Building surveyors

What is the ‘duty to manage asbestos’ and who has it?

The duty to manage asbestos is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 4). It applies to the owners and occupiers of commercial premises (such as shops, offices, industrial units etc) who have responsibility for maintenance and repair activities. In addition to these responsibilities, they also have a duty to assess the presence and condition of any asbestos-containing materials. If asbestos is present, or is presumed to be present, then it must be managed appropriately. The duty also applies to the shared parts of some domestic premises.

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