The following useful information regarding Asbestos can be found on the internet and has been provided below for information only www.direct.gov.uk

Asbestos removal

Many people have worries about asbestos, but undisturbed asbestos usually poses no problems. However, care should be taken to prevent the release of fibres as they can cause serious damage to your health.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a range of building materials to make them more rigid and fire resistant. It has also been used in household products such as ironing boards and oven gloves. Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the 1950s through to the mid 1980s.

• leaves gutters and rainwater fall pipes
• fire blankets
• garage and shed roofs
• linings for walls, ceilings and doors
• insulation panels in some storage heaters
• bath panels
• central heating flues
• loose asbestos packing between floors and in partition walls
• floor tiles

Most people are exposed to low amounts of asbestos present in the atmosphere with no ill effects. Asbestos fibres and dust are potentially very dangerous if inhaled in higher concentrations over a period of time, when they can cause serious lung diseases including cancer. The symptoms of these diseases often do not appear for between 20 -30 years after exposure to asbestos.

What to do if you think you have asbestos in your home

It is very hard to identify asbestos, but if you suspect that you are living with asbestos:

• don't panic and leave asbestos alone, it's safe unless it's damaged or disturbed
• never sand, drill or saw asbestos materials
• always seek professional advice before thinking of removing asbestos materials
• do not attempt to remove asbestos lagging, spray coatings or insulation board by yourself.

These materials can only be safely removed by a licensed contractor sometimes it will be necessary to take a sample, for example to identify the type of asbestos. Only employ a suitably trained person to sample or do a survey of the premises www.asbestoslistings.com Asbestos was though to be almost the perfect building material until its dangers were discovered a few decades ago. Turns out it can be a serious risk to health when fibres become airborne and are inhaled, potentially getting trapped in the lungs. Common rock formations contain the fibrous minerals that are used to make asbestos products. The incredible strength and durability of the minerals meant asbestos was immediately popular. Even better, asbestos was found to resist fire and heat, making it great for brake shoes, gaskets and insulation.

When asbestos is a health threat

When asbestos fibres are bound tightly or enclosed, such as with siding and or ceiling tiles, health risks are supposed to be minimal. When the materials are cut however, dangerous fibres can be released. Asbestos that is “friable”, meaning it breaks easily, or asbestos that has been loosely installed, can more easily release fibres.

Cancers caused by asbestos

Mesothelioma - A rare cancer of the chest or abdominal cavity lining, this disease has been linked to asbestos in approximately 50 per cent of cases and can come on almost 50 years after exposure. Lung cancer - Especially when combined with smoking, asbestos is though to increase the risk of lung cancer. Cancers of the larynx, stomach, and colon have also been linked to asbestos exposure.

Conditions caused by asbestos exposure

Asbestosis - This lung disease is a scarring of the lung tissue that happens when the body produces acid to try and dissolve asbestos fibres. It takes 10 to 20 years to develop and can eventually prevent the lungs from functioning at all. Pleural plaques - With this condition, the diaphragm and chest walls thicken. The plaques often have no symptoms and basically just indicate past exposure and a risk of developing asbestosis. Asbestos warts - These benign growths appear when asbestos fibres become stuck in the skin. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Why may asbestos be a problem?

When asbestos materials age or become damaged they can release fibres into the air. These can be breathed deep into the lung where they may stay for a long time, causing possible damage. When very high levels of these fibres are breathed in there is a risk of lung diseases, including cancer. www.asbestoscontrol.co.uk

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that has been used for around 150 years commercially.

Why was Asbestos Used?

Asbestos is plentiful and versatile. It was used throughout the construction industry from 1950’s to the 1980’s because it was ideal as a fireproofing material and also an insulating material for electricity, heating and sound.

Where is Asbestos found in buildings?

Asbestos and Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) may be found in buildings constructed or refurbished before blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985. Some ACM’s were still used up until 1999.

Does Asbestos need to be removed?

Whilst many people are in the firm belief that this is the case, there are instances where – as long as ACM’s are managed properly they can remain in place. If however, the ACM is liable to be disrupted and or damaged then it is highly recommended that the removal should be planned immediately.

Why is Asbestos Dangerous?

There are three commonly encountered types of asbestos; Chrysotile (White), Crocidolite (Blue), and Amosite (Brown). All forms are potentially dangerous but research shows that blue and brown are significantly more dangerous than white asbestos. If it is disturbed, asbestos fibres can break down into sharp fibres that can be inhaled. If these fibres lodge in the lungs they do not dissolve and can work their way to the outer surface leading to several diseases, such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

ABOUT ASBESTOS

At least 3,500 * people in Great Britain alone die from Mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer each year as of a result of exposure to asbestos. This figure is expected to continue to rise over the next ten years. * HSE 2004 There are many thousands of tons of asbestos still present in buildings in the UK and it is estimated that over half a million non-domestic premises contain some form of asbestos.