What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a term used for a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have crystallised to form long thin fibres and fibre bundles.
Asbestos is heat, electricity and chemically resistant and is very strong. These properties have made asbestos very useful, especially as building and insulation material.
The three main types of asbestos that have been used commercially are:
- Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
- Amosite (brown asbestos)
- Chrysotile (white asbestos)
It is not possible to determine the type of asbestos present in any material by the colour of the material. A laboratory test will be needed to properly identify the different types of asbestos.
Visit UKAS website then click on 'Testing' to find an accredited laboratory near you.
Why is asbestos a problem?
Although asbestos is a hazardous material, it is generally only a risk if asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are disturbed or damaged and asbestos fibres are released into the air and inhaled into the lungs. The fibres can remain there for a long time as they are not easily destroyed or degraded.
This can lead to lung diseases, particularly if a person is repeatedly exposed to asbestos fibres over a number of years.
If ACM are in good condition and in a position where they are not going to be disturbed or damaged, it is generally safer to leave them where they are and ensure the risks are managed.
As asbestos fibres accumulate in the lungs, several types of diseases may occur.
What diseases are caused by asbestos exposure?
- Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal lining. It is considered to be exclusively related to asbestos exposure. By the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal. Mesothelioma has a long latency period (time between exposure and onset of disease) of at least 15 and sometimes as long as 60 years.
- Asbestosis is scarring of the lung tissue. This scarring impairs the elasticity of the lung and hampers its ability to exchange gases. This leads to inadequate oxygen intake to the blood. Asbestosis restricts breathing leading to decreased lung volume and increased resistance in the airways. It is a slowly progressive disease with a latency period of 15 to 30 years.
- Lung cancer is a malignant tumour of the bronchi covering. The tumour grows through surrounding tissue, invading and often obstructing air passages. Again, the disease has a long latency period - typically at least 20 years.
- Another disease associated with asbestos exposure is diffuse pleural thickening - a non-malignant disease in which the lining of the lung (pleura) becomes scarred. Small areas of scarring are called pleural plaques. It normally takes at least 10 years after the first exposure to develop asbestos related pleural disease. The disease is a chronic condition with no cure.
The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. How great is the combined risk of lung cancer due to asbestos exposure and smoking?
It is widely accepted that tobacco smoke interacts with asbestos in causing lung cancer. This means that the risk of lung cancer for a smoker exposed to asbestos is greater than the sum of the individual effects due to smoking and due to asbestos. Asbestos was used in hundreds of different products and buildings mainly from the 1950's to the mid 1980's. Asbestos cement was used up until 1999 in a variety of different premises and materials.
Where is asbestos normally found?
Any building that was constructed or had major refurbishment between the 1950's and mid 1980's is likely to contain some type of asbestos containing material. Use of asbestos peaked in the 60's and early 70's - premises built or refurbished during this time are the most likely to contain some form of asbestos.
The use of asbestos has been the subject of gradual voluntary and formal bans since 1969, for example:
- The use of blue asbestos stopped almost completely in about 1970;
- The installation of sprayed asbestos coatings has been legally banned from 1985;
- The installation of asbestos-containing decorative plasters was legally banned in 1992;
- Installation of asbestos cement was prohibited in 1999.
These dates should, however, only be used as a rough guide, as asbestos held in stock might have been used after these dates.
What materials might contain asbestos?
Examples of asbestos-containing materials include:
- Lagging on boilers, pipe-work, etc
- Insulation
- Board, used as wall partitions and on fire doors for example
- Ceiling tiles
- Cement-based sheets (flat or corrugated) used for roofing, walls, door linings, panels, etc
- Cement drain-pipes and guttering
- Cement boiler flues
- Floor tiles
- Water tanks
- Textured coatings
- Gaskets in pipe and vessel joints, etc
- and many more
Who is currently at risk of being exposed to asbestos?
Asbestos-containing material that would crumble easily if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, is more likely to create a health hazard.
Persons most likely to be currently exposed to asbestos are those working in building and maintenance trades, and to a lesser extent those involved in asbestos removal (where risks potentially exist unless rigorous precautions are taken).
Asbestos - Further Information
Health and Safety
For further health and safety information, visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
Home Owners
Guidance for home owners on DIY removal and disposal of asbestos cement sheets is available in the 'Downloads' section on the right.
Household asbestos waste collection
The telephone number for Gerpins Lane household Waste site is 01708 225723 they take asbestos waste such as garage roofs but only for domestic customers. The site should be contacted in advance to establish arrangements for wrapping the material prior to transporting it to the site. (wrapping the material ensures that your vehicle is not contaminated with asbestos and that anyone handling your waste at the household site is also protected from risk)
Landlords and Tenants
Council housing tenants should contact their housing office for further information about their home.
Private landlords and tenants may contact Environmental Health for further assistance and advice.
Contaminated Land
Asbestos is also considered under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part 11A Contaminated Land. Asbestos is often found at sites with land formerly used for industrial and waste disposal purposes. Consequently Havering Council is required to inspect any land where it is suspected that asbestos is present. Please use the contact details if you require further information.