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Asbestos

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral that has been widely used in construction materials and in articles within the home for a number of years. There are three main types of asbestos still found in some premises, commonly called " blue asbestos" (crocidolite),  "brown asbestos" (amosite) and "white asbestos" (chrysotile). All are dangerous but blue and brown asbestos are more hazardous than white. You cannot identify them just by colour.

Where was asbestos used?

Because of its heat resistant properties, asbestos was particularly useful as a means of providing fire protection. It can be found in sheet form and as a sprayed coating and if combined with cement, it makes a weather resistant material  which was used as roofing sheets, pipes and guttering.

Why is it dangerous?

If asbestos fibres are released into the air and breathed in, they can lead to asbestos related diseases, mainly cancers of the lung and chest lining. Onset of these diseases can vary from 15-60 years after exposure to the asbestos.

When does it become dangerous?

Problems with asbestos largely arise when it is damaged, cut or drilled and if it is not removed and disposed of correctly.

Other sources of information

The following Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publications are listed on http://www.hsebooks.co.uk/ and can be obtained by mail order from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk. Tel: 01787 881165 or ordered from your local bookshop.

• A comprehensive guide to managing asbestos in premises - HSG 227 (ISBN 0-7176-2381- 5
• Introduction to asbestos essentials - a comprehensive guide on working with asbestos in building maintenance and allied trades HSG 213 (ISBN 0-7176 1901-X)
• The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises (Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002)
• Approved code of practice and guidance - L127 (ISBN 0-7176 -2382-3)
• Work with asbestos which does not normally require a licence (Fourth Edition) (Control of asbestos at work regulations 2002) Approved code of practice and guidance - L27 (ISBN 0 -7176 2562-1)
• Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulation board (Fourth Edition)
• (Control of asbestos at work regulations 2002) Approved code of practice and guidance - L28 (ISBN 0 -7176 2563-x)

Useful websites

For accredited Testing Laboratories supplied by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).