What is asbestos?
Asbestos was once a preferred construction material due to its insulation properties and fire resistance. It was regularly used in both commercial and residential construction, appearing in products as wide ranging as textiles to automobile parts.
Asbestos is considered dangerous due to its health effects when inhaled. The fibres of asbestos can spread through the body, leading to lung damage, respiratory problems, and other health issues such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma - which has a 0% survival rate.
It is also reported that asbestos fibres can also cause digestive issues. The likelihood of encountering asbestos increases with the duration and degree of exposure, with smoking further amplifying the risk.
Where is asbestos still prominent?
The Trades Union Congress has said that a large number of National Health Service (NHS) buildings across London and Scotland still contain asbestos. The research conducted by TUC revealed that asbestos was present in at least 451 NHS premises in London and 695 in Scotland.
Out of these buildings, which include hospitals, health centres, GP offices, and blood donor clinics, two-thirds of these were accessible to the public. The TUC is calling for a law that requires the removal of all asbestos from public buildings.
The Work and Pensions Select Committee has previously called for a 40-year deadline to eliminate asbestos from public and commercial buildings. As per the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), asbestos is the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK.
Has the government ignored the issue?
The TUC has accused the government of ignoring the issue and demanded the passing of a law to remove all asbestos from public buildings. TUC has called for a future government to include this removal as a part of a broader retrofitting program for all public structures.
The Department of Health and Social Care has yet to comment on the matter. In April 2022, Chloe Smith, the former Minister for Disabled People, Health, and Work, stated that the government had a clear objective to eventually eliminate asbestos from non-residential buildings in the safest manner possible.
Top signs of asbestos in the home
Older Houses
To determine if your house contains asbestos, check the year it was built. Houses built before or during the 1980s are likely to have asbestos, as it was commonly used in floor tiles, walls, insulation, ceilings, and pipe cement.
Vinyl Flooring or Sheet
Examine your home for vinyl flooring tiles made with millboard or paper. These materials are more likely to contain asbestos if the flooring was installed between 1952 and 1986.
Cement Water Tanks
Cement water tanks in older homes may contain asbestos. If you have one, consider having it tested for asbestos.
Cement Sheets
Asbestos is also often present in cement sheets in older homes. Areas around the sheets, such as vent covers, light bases, and cover traps, may also contain asbestos.
Corrugated Roofing
Between the 1920s and 1970s, corrugated roofing that contained asbestos was widely used. Cement roof shingles also commonly contained Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos.
Where to find asbestos removal companies
Are you on the search for an asbestos removal company you can trust? Malrod, with over 50 years of experience in asbestos removal, offers effective asbestos removal, remediation, and project management techniques, completing domestic and industrial projects effectively, efficiently, and safely all over the UK. To find out more information, visit their website, here.
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