ASBESTOS - AN INTRODUCTION
Asbestos is a generic term given to several naturally-occurring
silicate minerals. The most common forms are; Chrysotile (White),
Crocidolite (Blue) and Amosite (Brown). The asbestos (prohibition)
regulations 1999 has banned the new use of all forms of asbestos..
The use of asbestos declined steadily from
the 1960s and only Chrysotile can now be used. However it is likely
that its use will also be banned in the near future.
Although numerous buildings have been stripped
of asbestos and safer materials used as replacements, most of the asbestos
ever used is still in place, and often its existence remains undetected.
A combination of properties, including heat resistance, mechanical
strength, chemical inertness and its ability to be easily woven into
fabrics and other materials, made asbestos a suitable constituent
of many materials, including:
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Thermal insulation - lagging of pipes,
boilers etc.
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Sprayed coatings for fire protection
and thermal insulation.
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Insulation boards for both fire
protection and thermal and acoustic insulation.
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Ropes and yarns used in heat seals
and electric cables.
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Asbestos-cement used in wall cladding,
partitions, roofing sheets, guttering, fencing, ventilators and
ducts.
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Asbestos-bitumen products including
roofing felt and flashing, gutter linings and damp-proofing.
Domestic Appliances
Asbestos can also be found in many household objects, for example:
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Elements, brake pads and heat
seals in many electric heaters, irons, hairdryers, washing machines,
refrigerators and freezers
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Insulating boards and heat seals
used in many cookers.
Asbestos can become a hazard to human health when the
individual fibres within the material are allowed to escape into the air.
This can happen when the material is broken, sawn, drilled or sanded. Problems
occur because the fibres are of such a size and shape that they can be easily
inhaled, penetrating the airways and tissues of the lungs quite easily. This
generally occurs when the material has fallen into disrepair or is being
destroyed or disposed.
There are three principal illnesses that
can be linked to exposure to asbestos fibres, namely:
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Asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue). |
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Lung Cancer. |
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Mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining
of the lung). |
Under regulation 4 of the CAWR2002 owners of non-doemstic properties
are required to manage asbestos in buildings.
If you suspect that your building contains
asbestos or you require a pre-demolition or pre-purchase survey to
be carried out, you should seek professional advice.
has many years experience
in carrying out asbestos surveys in houses, flats offices, factories
and public buildings in accordance with . All samples taken
are analysed in our preferred UKAS accredited laboratory.
If you have any queries about the
presence of asbestos materials in your building, please contact
us.
See also:
Uses and Applications of Asbestos
Common
Locations of Asbestos in Buildings
Asbestos
- Identification
For more information see our Asbestos
Section on our web site, or contact us at Voelcker Consultants
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