Many people have heard of asbestos, they know that it is a dangerous health hazard but most are not actually aware of what asbestos is and whether they could be at risk of exposure to the deadly fibres.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring impure magnesium silicate mineral which is mined worldwide. There are three main types of asbestos that was used in building materials chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite, these are usually identified through their colour white (which is the most common), brown and blue respectively. The brown and blue instances are the most hazardous of the three.
Asbestos is a versatile heat resistant material which has been used in construction for hundreds of years. The use of asbestos for insulation and fire resistance was exceptionally popular during the post war period of construction due the low cost and ease of use. This however was before the knowledge that asbestos caused such tragic, incurable health problems.
Asbestos is known as the hidden killer which is responsible for approximately 4000 tragic deaths each year. Asbestos is the primary cause of Mesothelioma, an incurable cancer. The majority of these deaths are trades people such as joiners, builders and plumbers who worked with asbestos material prior to the danger of the product being brought to light.
The number of deaths is expected to increase year on year and eventually peak in 2016. The increase of cases despite the fact the use of the mineral is now banned is due to the symptoms of asbestos related diseases such as Mesothelioma and Asbestosis not appearing until at least 25 to 50 years after the initial exposure. As asbestos use was most prevalent during the post war period of the 1950s to the 1970s many of these cases are only just coming to light now and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Asbestos was used in lagging to insulate pipes, tanks and other related equipment. If your pipes, heating system and tanks have not been refurbished or reinsulated since the year 2000 then chances are you may have some asbestos in your home.
Asbestos fibres were also commonly mixed with building supplies to fire retard buildings, walls, partition boards, floors, ceilings , garages, steel structures and even decorative ceiling coatings. Asbestos fibres were also woven into fabrics such as fire blankets, curtains, mattresses and other textiles to make these fire resistant.
These uses of asbestos are not exhaustive, as it was such as popular and cheap material it can be found in many parts of a home built before the use of asbestos was banned. If you think you have any asbestos in your home then you should strongly consider having an asbestos survey completed. The majority of products that asbestos fibres can be found in are easily breakable, often altered or accidentally damaged when homeowners are doing home improvements or refurbishments unaware of any potential risk. Removing partitioning in your home, retiling your kitchen floor or removing some decorative features from your wall or ceiling can all be a lot more deadly than you would normally expect. Even something as simple as damaging your loft insulation can prove to be deadly.
A common misconception is that if there were any damage to asbestos and fibres became airborne you would be able to see it, just like you can see dust from other building materials such as cement and plaster. This however is not the case; asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye nor do they produce a smell and even the smallest of fibres inhaled can be fatal this is why it is known as the hidden killer.
In the UK the Control of Asbestos Regulations in 2006 completely banned the use of asbestos fibres in any format. Prior to this the use of asbestos had been heavily regulated from 1983. Thanks to these regulations houses constructed after 2006 will have no traces of asbestos use. Earlier regulations however mean that there may still be some cases of use in properties built or refurbished prior to the year 2000, particularly in lagging and an exceptional amount still present in houses built before the 1980s.
It is predicted 50% of all asbestos materials produced are still in use in homes and commercial buildings across the country right now! If you suspect you have material with asbestos material in your home or business property then it is essential you do not cause any damage or disturbance to the material to avoid releasing any potentially fatal which are easy to inhale producing irreversible effects.
Asbestos does not cause a health risk if it has not been disturbed. If asbestos becomes damaged the fibres become air borne and can be inhaled. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, any can be fatal. In the long term, for your safety and peace of mind it is often better to get asbestos removed via professional asbestos removal and remove any potential risk.