HOW TO STOP WORRYING ABOUT ASBESTOS
WORRYING ABOUT ASBESTOS - HERE’S WHAT TO DO!
It is reasonable to be concerned about Asbestos. It is a dangerous naturally occurring material that is present in residential and commercial properties all over the world and is to blame for a significant number of workplace deaths in the UK.
Nonetheless, we are here to tell you that worrying about Asbestos, often referred to as Asbestos Anxiety, doesn’t have to be all-consuming.
In this article, we’ll attempt to dispel some of the common worries about Asbestos.
“ASBESTOS ALWAYS POSES A RISK”
We often hear from clients worried about the fact that Asbestos is present on their property. Just because Asbestos is present, does not necessarily mean it is a cause for concern. In many cases, the condition and treatment of the material is the real cause for concern.
Asbestos poses a risk to you and others in its vicinity when it is disturbed, fractured or damaged. This leads to Asbestos fibres being discharged into the air and once inhaled can get lodged in lung tissues.
These fibres accumulate and become inflammatory after repeated exposure, which can lead to diseases including Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, and Pleural Thickening.
So remember – Just because Asbestos is present it is not something you always have to worry about.
“ONE-TIME ASBESTOS EXPOSURE IS ALMOST NEVER FATAL”
There is no "safe" amount of asbestos exposure, and studies haven't been able to show that even a single Asbestos exposure event won't get you sick. However, it would be extraordinarily unfortunate if a single exposure to friable Asbestos resulted in long-term health effect.
The vast majority of Asbestos Illnesses are created by high levels of exposure over long periods of time. These cases typically involve workers in high-risk locations such as power stations, shipyards and factories alongside construction-related workers who disturbed Asbestos in the past without any controls or personal protective equipment (PPE) in place.
THERE ARE LOW LEVELS OF ASBESTOS IN AMBIENT AIR
According to recent studies, there is less Asbestos in the ambient air now than there used to be. The danger to the environment over a lifetime from Asbestos in the ambient air is extraordinarily low.
Airborne Asbestos would meet the criteria for a low-level risk, akin to the cancer risk associated with eating meat that has been grilled over charcoal or the risks associated with being struck by lightning.
“REFURBISHED PROPERTIES MUST HAVE HAD THE ASBESTOS REMOVED”
Any building built before 2000 has a chance of Asbestos products being used in the construction. This could be in the structure, fixtures and fittings or cladding of the property. If you own or purchase a refurbished building built before 2000 it may still contain Asbestos. If you own a property dating pre-2000 you will still need an Asbestos Survey even if it has been renovated or refurbished.
If you buy a new property dating from 2000 onwards no Asbestos should be present as the Asbestos legal ban date was 1999.
“WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS”
Most instances of potential Asbestos Exposures prove to be a low risk to health (or no risk) in a lot of cases. Dust does not always equal Asbestos. And if you have been exposed the chances are that the exposure will be minor. Only on rare occasions do people get exposed to high levels of airborne friable Asbestos.
If you think you have been exposed firstly keep calm. Limit any exposure as far as possible. If you can, put on a P3 mask and do not spread any dust or debris. Stop anyone coming into the area of contamination and then - Phone our HQ for assistance and a consultant will take you through what to do.
Depending upon the conversation we may advise a number of different actions.
“GET YOUR PROPERTY TESTED FOR ASBESTOS”
You can spend a lot of sleepless nights thinking about if your home or commercial property has Asbestos but sometimes the unknown is worse than knowing what is there.
You can get your property tested for Asbestos to determine if a risk from Asbestos is present or not.
Experienced Asbestos surveyors can collect a sample of the suspected ACM to determine whether it contains Asbestos and offer legitimate recommendations regarding your next course of action. These choices may include carefully removing the items or encapsulating them or simply managing the material in situ and making sure it remains undisturbed or damaged.
RECOMMENDATIONS
There is no doubt that finding out your home or property has Asbestos may be unsettling especially if you are planning repairs and refurbishment or have long-term potential exposure to damaged Asbestos materials.
Knowing what you are dealing with is the first step to alleviating any anxiety from Asbestos. Once you know what risks are present and how they affect you, a plan can be put into place to sort the issue out.
Contact us today and one of our experienced Asbestos consultants will take you through the process and ensure you are safely dealing with your Asbestos.
If you're interested in learning more about asbestos check out our blog posts here or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us for emergency response.
Our local teams can assist with any of the following asbestos-related works -
Asbestos Surveys near me
Asbestos Removal near me
Asbestos Sampling near me
Asbestos in Soils
Re-Inspection and maintenance near me