Asbestos

Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are responsible for around 4500 deaths a year. There are four main diseases caused by asbestos: mesothelioma (which is always fatal), lung cancer (almost always fatal), asbestosis (not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating) and diffuse pleural thickening (not fatal).

Water Tank Water tanks found in older properties are usually made of asbestos cement (pre 1980).

Pipe Lagging Asbestos was often used as insulation on pipes. Used to keep heat in or cold out. These pipes are often painted over or protected by outer coating so not obviously asbestos.

Property Insulation Loose asbestos was used as insulation in wall and floor cavities and in lofts.

Textured coating (eg artex) Asbestos based products like artex were used widely through the sixties until the early eighties the asbestos fibres can be released when removing these surfaces.

Soffit Board Soffit board sits behind fascia at eaves level. Board can be made from asbestos cement or asbestos insulating board.

Toilet cistern Older toilet cisterns can contain asbestos- reinforced resin composite materials.

Wall Panelling Asbestos can be found as external wall cladding and as internal wall panelling both particularly around windows.

Fuse box Often found in hall or under stairs. Each fuse wire has an individual asbestos flash guard. Panel behind fuse box can be asbestos.

Heater Cupboard Heater cupboard around domestic boiler often contains asbestos insulating board.

Floor tiles Vinyl and thermoplastic floor tiles can contain asbestos. The tile backing may also contain asbestos paper.

Rainwater items Roof gutters and down pipes can often be made of asbestos cement.

Roofing Concrete bonded asbestos was often used to produce corrugated roofing materials and man made slates.

What to do! Asbestos is relatively safe if left undisturbed. However when it is disturbed the fibres are released creating a potential hazard. Asbestos materials should not be cut, drilled, filled or shaped in any way.

If found, what next? If you find asbestos in a property you must stop working in that area. Report the asbestos to the person in charge of the site. If you have been contaminated with the asbestos dust do not brush yourself off, wait for decontamination. Only authorised contractors can remove and dispose of asbestos. Some companies are authorised to remove small amounts of asbestos.

Information Information about what to do when you encounter asbestos can be found:- –HSE web site. –gov.uk web site /asbestos-in-home –British Lung Foundation –Asbestos Removal Contractors Association –Asbestos.com

Why? The reason asbestos is so dangerous is the fine fibres of the asbestos have tiny barbs; these get caught in the linings of the lungs leading to infection and disease.

Asbestos Related Diseases Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.

Asbestos Related Diseases Asbestos-related lung cancer Asbestos-related lung cancer is the same as (looks the same as) lung cancer caused by smoking and other causes. It is estimated that there is around one lung cancer for every mesothelioma death.

Asbestos Related Diseases Asbestosis Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath, and in severe cases can be fatal.

Asbestos Related Diseases Pleural thickening Pleural thickening is generally a problem that happens after heavy asbestos exposure. The lining of the lung (pleura) thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed, and can cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest