What is asbestos and why is it dangerous?

What is asbestos? 

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Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre that was widely used in construction and other industries until the late 1990s. 

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Before the dangers were known, asbestos was often used in buildings for insulation, flooring, roofing, and on ceilings and walls.

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The three types of asbestos fibres most commonly used in the UK are: blue (crocidolite), brown (amosite) and white (chrysotile).

 

The use of asbestos is now banned in the UK but buildings constructed before 2000 may still have asbestos in them.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

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When asbestos is damaged or disturbed, tiny asbestos fibres can be released into the air and enter your lungs when breathing. Breathing in asbestos fibres can damage your lungs and their lining.

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The symptoms of conditions related to asbestos can take many years to appear after the original exposure.

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Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to various dangerous lung conditions, including lung cancer, which is why it is considered a serious health and safety hazard.

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Nowadays, you’re only likely to come into contact with asbestos if it is disturbed or damaged in buildings built prior to the year 2000.

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But you can never be too careful. 

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We offer asbestos surveys, sampling, removal and disposal of all types of asbestos in Northamptonshire, the wider Midlands and across the UK.