| Until 20 years ago most of hadn't even heard of | | | | it is then that they can be inhaled. Once inhaled the |
| Asbestos until its hazardous properties were highly | | | | fibres cannot be expelled due to their size, so they |
| publicised in the mid 1980s. | | | | become lodged in the lung tissue. |
| Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with long | | | | Asbestos is now banned, either in whole or in part, in |
| fibrous crystals. It is these fibres that cause Asbestos's | | | | 60 countries worldwide including all of those in the |
| toxicity due to the harm they cause when inhaled into | | | | European Union. |
| the lungs. Inhalation of Asbestos can cause a number | | | | Asbestos Regulation |
| of very serious illnesses such as lung cancer and | | | | In 1970 the Asbestos industry maintained a voluntary |
| Pneumoconiosis. | | | | ban on Blue Asbestos (the most harmful type of |
| Historically Asbestos has been used for many | | | | Asbestos) in its raw form. The ban did not, however, |
| different purposes. In fact the Greeks nicknamed | | | | cover products containing the material. This ban was |
| Asbestos the miracle mineral due to its versatility and | | | | extended to Brown Asbestos (considered the 2nd |
| ability to withstand extreme heat. Most famously | | | | most dangerous type) in 1980. |
| Asbestos was utilised in construction but its uses were | | | | It wasn't until 1986 that the UK Government imposed |
| far more widespread - the material's heat resistance | | | | an official ban on the two most harmful forms of |
| made it an ideal electrical insulator for wires and cabling | | | | Asbestos, and any products that contained them. The |
| for ovens and its strength was appreciated in the | | | | official policy was introduced to: "Prohibit the most |
| weaving of fabrics for clothing and table cloths etc. By | | | | hazardous forms and activities, namely the importation, |
| the mid 20th century Asbestos was being used | | | | supply and use of blue and brown (crocidolite and |
| everywhere, examples of products utilising Asbestos | | | | amosite) asbestos, asbestos spraying and the |
| are as follows: roof tiles, flooring, pipe insulation, ceiling | | | | installation of asbestos insulation, License most work |
| insulation, lawn furniture, cement for fire places, brake | | | | with asbestos insulation or coatings and Strictly control |
| pads for vehicles, protective clothing for firemen etc. | | | | the remaining risks to anyone working with asbestos |
| Unfortunately the real dangers of Asbestos were not | | | | (and others affected by them)". |
| fully understood until recently, by which time a high | | | | In 2006 the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 |
| percentage of buildings, particularly those erected in the | | | | came into force. These new regulations combine the |
| late 1800s and early 1900s, already contained a | | | | three previous sets of regulations covering the |
| significant amount in their walls and roofs. Before | | | | prohibition, control and licensing of Abestos. |
| Asbestos's toxicity was brought to light it had been | | | | The regulations prohibit the importation, supply and use |
| considered an ideal building material - it was known to | | | | of all three forms of Asbestos - Blue, Brown and |
| be highly fire retardant, have high electricity resistance | | | | white. |
| and, most importantly, was easy and cheap to use. | | | | If you are concerned about asbestos contained within |
| Sadly heavy use of asbestos in years gone by has | | | | the structure of your work building or home, contact |
| exposed past generations of construction workers, | | | | your nearest reputable Health and Safety Consultants |
| carpenters and roofers to asbestos and many now | | | | and ask them to conduct an Asbestos Survey on the |
| suffer lung disease as a result. Asbestos is only | | | | property. |
| hazardous when the fibres become airborne because | | | | |