Why asbestos is a problem

Ok darlings, here is another of my informative posts about asbestos. This was prompted by Vera from the local Parish council asking me why asbestos was a problem if so many people used it initially.

Well, this got me into a huge conversation about the dangers and how people didn’t realise this when they were using it and making some many things with it. SO for your benefit and for my dear friend Vera, here goes another Aunty Asbestos information lesson;

WHY ASBESTOS CAN BE A PROBLEM

Asbestos material in good condition does not pose a risk to health, but if the material is damaged it could release asbestos fibres into the air. If the fibre is breathed in the lungs can be damaged.

The more fibre breathed in, and the longer the total exposure period, the greater the risk to health. People who worked with asbestos for many years, for example as a part of their job, or washed the dusty clothing of those who worked with asbestos, were most likely to be affected. Now that asbestos fibre is no longer imported in to the UK. These traditional ‘high risk’ occupations have ceased to exist. The ‘new at-risk group’ are building trades and demolition workers; they are likely to be disturbing asbestos based products, on a regular basis, over a prolonged period of time (a working life). This may create health problems later. Regulations protect these people.

WHY ASBESTOS CAN BE A PROBLEM IS EVERYONE EXPOSED?

Asbestos occurs naturally, and because of this, there are detectable fibre levels everywhere. Low-level exposure is not considered to be a significant risk to health, although any exposure should be reduced to the lowest practical level. Fibre Levels may be higher when asbestos materials become damaged. You should obtain advice on the appropriate action to take, before materials deteriorate, or before disturbing them. High-level short-term exposure to asbestos fibre can occur during DIY work. For this reason, avoid creating dust when working with materials, which may contain asbestos and avoid drilling, sanding or disturbing them.

WHERE CAN ASBESTOS MATERIALS BE FOUND?

Building materials containing asbestos were widely used from 1930 to around 1980, and particularly from the 1960s. Buildings constructed, altered or refurbished during this time may have had asbestos materials used. Asbestos was used in heat resistant household products, for example, oven gloves, over door seals and ironing board rest pads.

The use of asbestos in these products decreased from the mid-1980s. And since 1993 the use of asbestos in most products has been banned.

It is not always easy to tell if a product contains asbestos, as newer asbestos free materials often look similar.

Hope this have given you all a little more insight into why asbestos is a problem.

Any more questions dears ask the experts, Fibre Environmental Services, they live and breathe asbestos, well not literally peeps, but you know what I mean.