Asbestos is a substance that was commonly used up to the 1970s as a building, insulating or heat resistant material. It is a mineral which causes a range of serious and potentially fatal respiratory or breathing problems and cancers. The danger to health is from asbestos fibers which are easily breathed in and build up in your lungs causing thickening, hardening and scarring of the tissues around the lungs. The fibers are released when asbestos materials are broken up, allowing the tiny fibers to disperse into the air where they can easily be inhaled.
Health and safety is everybody’s responsibility so it is important to be aware of the risks posed by asbestos. To ensure that exposure to harmful asbestos fibers is limited you should make sure any old buildings, materials or parts you suspect may contain asbestos are thoroughly checked. If there is asbestos in the materials you use, your workplace or in your home then you need to take appropriate steps to minimize the risks to health.
Asbestos testing should be carried out by qualified professionals only. The EPA have a list of accredited bodies who can carry out tests. If you think you will be handling materials containing asbestos as part of your work, make sure you follow health and safety guidelines. If you suspect you have broken or disturbed some asbestos you must leave it undisturbed and seal off the area. If asbestos is identified from testing you will need to consult a professional to advise you on repair or removal.
If items containing asbestos need to be removed and disposed of it is best to consult qualified professionals. Any materials you think may contain asbestos should be kept whole to prevent the release of the asbestos fibers. Have an independent inspection carried out to assess the extent of the asbestos removal required. Then contract a separate company for the safe removal and disposal. Be sure to check they have the relevant training and licenses. This will ensure you get the work carried out safely, lawfully and minimizes the potential for future problems.
If the asbestos is not disturbed or broken the fibers can not become airborne and so will not cause problems. It is therefore best to leave materials alone if you suspect they may contain asbestos. If you are working with materials which are known to contain asbestos always follow your health and safety guidance and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. If you think you may have discovered a source of broken or fraying asbestos always contact a professional testing service to have it thoroughly checked out.
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