Asbestos

Asbestos became increasingly poplular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, average tensile strength and its resistance fo fire, heat electrical and chemical damage. It was used is such applications as electrical insulation for hotplate wiring and building insulation. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibres are often mixed with cement (resulting fibre cement) or woven into fabrics or mats.

White Asbestos

Chrysotile, commonly known as white Asbestos, is obtained from serpentinite rocks which are common throughout the world. Chrysotile fibres are curly as opposed to fibres from amosite and crocidolite which are needlelike. Chrysotile, along with other types of Asbestos, has been banned in dozen of countries and is only allowed in the United States and Europe in very limited circumstances. Chrysotile has been used more than any other type and accounts for about 85% of Asbestos found in buildings in the UK. Applications where Chrysotile might be used include the use of textured coatings such as Artex. It is more flexible than other types of Asbestos; it can be spun and woven into fabric. The most common use is within corrugated Asbestos cement roof sheets typically used for outbuildings, warehouses and garages. It is also found as flat sheets used for ceilings and sometimes for walls and floors. Numerous other items have been made containing Chrysotile including brake linings, cloth behind fuses/flash pad arrestors (for fire protestion), pipe insulation, floor tiles and rope seals for boilers.

Brown Asbestos

Amosite, or brown Asbestos, is an amphibole most commonly mined in Southern Africa. It is found most frequently as a fire retardant in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles.

Blue Asbestos

Crocidolite, blue Asbestos, is an amphibole found primarily in Southern Africa. It is the fibrous form of amphibole and was commonly used as an insulation material.

Health hazard

It was discovered in the 1930s that when the microscopic fibres (100 times finer than human hair) become airborne they can become inhaled. These are so inert that they cannot be dispelled from the lungs, and can cause cancer, Asbestosis and Mesothelioma between 15 and 60 years after first exposure. However, strict controls on use were only introduced comparatively recently - it has been illegal to use Asbestos-containing materials since the introduction of the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992. There is no "safe level" of exposure. Asbestos remains the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, and is thought to kill up to 3000 a year and expected to rise.

Do not disturb!

All Asbestos is now subject to strict control; waste Asbestos is Special Waste. There are three "colours", white (Chrysotile), brown (Amosite) and blue (Crocidolite) This is misleading, as no colour is visible to the naked eye, so treat all types as equally hazardous. Two forms have great practical significance - these are Asbestos in board form and fibrous asbestos. If in good condition, its presence does not pose a risk. But as Asbestos can cause harm when breathed in, the fibrous form is far more hazardous, and sawing, drilling or sanding Asbestos board or sheet can release fibres. When accidentally damaged or disturbed, asbestos materials can be reduced to dust by relatively light pressure: that is when the fibres separate and become airborne and dangerous. If material is disturbed it can be coated by expert contractors, which keeps it safe for five years, after which a further coating may be required. Asbestos should only be removed if it is very friable (crumbly) or if renovation or demolition work is scheduled.

Asbestos Materials

Asbestos materials in good condition that are not damaged are often best left. Removal of perfect Asbestos can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air. To check the condition of asbestos materials you would need a professional Asbestos report.

Control of Asbestos at work

The Health & Safety Executive introduced the Control of Asbestos at Work 2002 regulations (CAW 2002) (now Control of Asbestos Regulations [CAR] 2006) to help reduce the rising death toll from asbestos related diseases.

Areas we cover

Our client base covers most of the UK in particular areas such as Bedford, Peterborough, Leicester, Birmingham, Stratford Upon Avon, Coventry, Northampton. Please call 01933 318666 to find out more.