Global Asbestos Awareness Week

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With some tradespeople admitting that they believe asbestos is a ‘problem of the past’, we’re reminded this Global Asbestos Awareness Week that more needs to be done to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos across a range of industries. In this article, we identify where asbestos is often found, the health implications of disturbed asbestos and the action duty holders can take to minimise risk and protect the spaces they manage.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally-occurring fibrous minerals that, when crystalised, form long, durable fibres. These fibres were used extensively in the manufacturing and building industries, and even in everyday products throughout the 1900s, until the 1980s.

Serpentine/chrysotile—known as ‘white asbestos’— was the more commonly-occurring type of asbestos used throughout the 1900s, and is more likely to be found in buildings, both commercial and domestic. The fibres are soft and flexible.

Amphibole— known as ‘blue’ or ‘brown’ asbestos—have a long, thin and needle-like appearance and are considered to more dangerous to human health. Crocidolite is part of this family of asbestos and, surprisingly, was found in a particular brand of US cigarette in the 1950s.

All forms of asbestos have been banned from use in the UK since 1999. Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 have made it illegal to buy, sell, import or export products containing asbestos.

Where is asbestos found?

Asbestos was used to build steam engines and ships in the late 1800s, but nowadays it’s most likely to be found:

Around pipes and boilers for insulation

In buildings in the form of Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB), which was used to further protect buildings from fires

In car brakes before 1985 (‘classic cars’ could still have asbestos present)

Within asbestos cement often used to construct roof sheeting, gutters and wall cladding

‘Artex’ decoration usually applied to domestic but also commercial ceilings

In thick floor tiles, or in floor tile adhesive (laid before 2000)

Talc mines were sometimes close in proximity to tremolite sources—another form of amphibole— meaning that many products containing talc could also have contained asbestos fibres. This has caused controversy in the beauty industry, where talc appears in not only make-up but baby powder too. A global brand producing baby powder stopped using talc in baby powder as recently as 2021, replacing it with cornstarch.

Why was asbestos used?

Asbestos became a popular material to use in many industries such as construction, textiles and manufacturing as it’s heat-resistant, fire-resistant and doesn’t degrade chemically or biologically. Asbestos fibres don’t dissolve in water, nor do they evaporate. It’s for this reason that asbestos was used in many products domestically and industrially, as it was thought to be a strong, durable and safe material.

Why is identifying and managing asbestos so important?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 200,000 deaths around the world are caused by exposure to asbestos. Over 70% of these deaths are from work-related cancers. According to the Health and Safety Executive, 5,000 deaths are caused by exposure to asbestos in the UK alone.

Left undisturbed and undamaged, asbestos poses no risk to human health. This risk increases when products made of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are damaged. When disturbed, asbestos fibres are released into the air, and are at risk of being inhaled. It is now known that breathing in asbestos can cause:

Mesothelioma (cancer of the lungs’ lining)

Asbestos-related lung cancer

Asbestosis (scarring of the lungs)

Diffuse pleural thickening (thickening of chest wall)

People most at risk of asbestos-related illnesses are likely to be those exposed to it via demolition work, and those involved with building maintenance and repair.

As use of asbestos in everyday life was so widespread for almost one hundred years, it was likely that the general public could likely be exposed to it for years to come in buildings, public spaces, such as hospitals and schools, and domestic settings. That’s why the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 came into effect.

These regulations apply to employees, employers and estate/facilities managers of non-domestic premises, but they also apply to workers in domestic settings. You can read more about the Regulations from 2012 and how they apply at .gov.uk

The important role of duty holders

In non-domestic settings, businesses are required to name a duty holder and this person is responsible for managing asbestos that may be identified at the buildings the business operates in. Many non-domestic buildings were built decades ago when asbestos wasn’t considered the risk it is today. With a duty of care to their employees and to any visitors to the sites they occupy, companies are legally required to identify and manage the presence of asbestos regularly.

How can Environtec help me keep the spaces I manage safe?

As asbestos management specialists for over 30 years, we’ve helped duty holders keep many buildings and spaces safe from the dangers of asbestos.

We’re UKAS-accredited and are able to conduct a range of precise, scientific tests to:

Detect the presence of asbestos

Determine the type of asbestos found

Recommend the next course of action appropriate to the site and situation

From asbestos surveys, to onsite air testing utilizing our mobile laboratories and helping you compile asbestos management plans, our comprehensive suite of services enable you to confidently identify, manage and maintain the site you’re responsible for.