subject: The Dangers of Asbestos [print this page] The Dangers of Asbestos
Asbestos is now completely banned in the UK, but it was widely used as a building material from the 1950's until the mid 1980's and it can be found in buildings constructed as recently as 2000.
In the home, asbestos was commonly used for lagging pipes, in insulation boards and mixed with other materials to make roof and floor tiles. It was also a popular choice for garages and other outbuildings.
It was banned because it was recognised to be a serious health hazard, and it is now responsible for about 4000 deaths each year and many cases of debilitating illness. Today, the people most at risk are those whose work brings them into direct contact with asbestos such as builders, heating engineers, roofers and demolition workers.
The danger comes from microscopic asbestos fibres that become airborne when asbestos, or a material containing asbestos, is disturbed or damaged. If large numbers of these fibres are breathed in they can remain undetected in the lungs, usually for more than 20 years, before causing serious lung diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the membranes covering the lungs.
What should you do if you find asbestos in your home?
The most important thing is to leave it alone. If the asbestos is in good condition, normally hidden from view, and not likely to be accidentally damaged it won't pose an immediate danger. But if you need to disturb it, perhaps to carry out repairs or alterations, the safest option is to get it removed. Not all asbestos is easily recognisable so if you come across any material that you are not certain about treat it as though it is asbestos unless an expert tells you otherwise.
How can you get asbestos removed?
Some types of asbestos, including asbestos lagging, sprays and coatings must only be removed by an asbestos removal contractor licensed by the Health and Safety Executive. If you want to remove a less dangerous type of asbestos yourself it will need to be sealed in strong, clearly labelled plastic bags and disposed of at a waste site licensed to accept asbestos. For your own protection you are strongly advised to wear disposable clothing and a suitable dust mask. It's also important to keep any dust to a minimum and to isolate the work area so asbestos fibres cannot contaminate other parts of your home. If you have any doubts about your ability to do this it will probably be safer to call in a reputable asbestos removal contractor.
How can you find a specialist asbestos removal company?
For any type of domestic asbestos removal only use an approved contractor who is licensed by the Health and Safety Executive. To save time and wasted phone calls get an online asbestos removal quote from a website that does the checks for you and only deals with approved contractors.
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