What is asbestos

 

Asbestos is a general name given to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have crystallised to form fibres. Asbestos fibres do not dissolve in water or evaporate, they are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation and are mechanically strong.

Asbestos is generally divided into two sub-groups; serpentine and amphiboles. Serpentine asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos) was the most commonly used type of asbestos.

Chrysotile asbestos fibres are soft, flexible and curved and far less hazardous than the amphibole type. Amphibole fibres (crocidolite-blue asbestos, amosite-brown asbestos, tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite) are brittle fibres and are often rod- or needle-like in appearance. It is this form that is more hazardous to health. Crocidolite was the most commonly used amphibole asbestos in the past.

What was asbestos used for ?

The properties of asbestos made it an ideal material for use in a number of products, including insulation material for buildings, boilers and pipes; car brakes and floor tiles, insulating board to protect buildings and ships against fire; asbestos cement for roofing sheets and pipes.

Due to the risks to health following inhalation exposure to asbestos the importation of blue and brown asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1985. This ban was extended to include white asbestos in 1999.

How exposure to asbestos could affect your health

The presence of asbestos in the environment does not always lead to exposure as you must come into contact with the fibres. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance or by skin contact. Following exposure to any hazardous chemical, the adverse health effects that you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the duration of exposure, the way you are exposed, the form of asbestos and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.

All forms of asbestos fibres are hazardous as they can induce cancer following inhalation exposure, but amphibole forms of asbestos (including blue and brown) are more hazardous to health than chrysotile (white).

Breathing in high concentrations of asbestos for a long period of time mainly affects the lungs, causing a disease called asbestosis where breathing becomes difficult and the heart enlarges. Asbestosis may take decades to develop. Asbestosis sufferers are at an increased risk of cancer. Exposure to lower concentrations of asbestos over time may result in a general (diffuse pleural thickening) or localised (pleural plaques) thickening of the lung lining.

Warts and corns may form around asbestos fibres that become embedded in the skin. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no consistent evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health.

how do we remove asbestos ?
  • Turn off HVAC units and seal vents to prevent asbestos fibers from circulating.
  • Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting.
  • Use wet cleanup tools and HEPA filter vacuums to clean the workspace.
  • Wetten the asbestos with water and surfactant to avoid dust.
  • Remove the asbestos and put it into two layers of pre-labeled, leak-tight bags.
  • we have a waste transport certificate.
  • Take the asbestos to a licensed landfill.

the six basic types of asbestos are:
  • Chrysotile asbestos (white asbestos), which belongs to the serpentine mineral family and is the most commonly used type of asbestos.
  • Amosite asbestos (brown asbestos), which belongs to the amphibole mineral family and is mainly used in cement and insulation products.
  • Crocidolite asbestos (blue asbestos), which belongs to the amphibole mineral family and is the most hazardous type of asbestos due to its thin and brittle fibers.
  • Anthophyllite asbestos, which belongs to the amphibole mineral family and is rarely used commercially.
  • Tremolite asbestos, which belongs to the amphibole mineral family and is often found as a contaminant in other minerals such as talc and vermiculite.
  • Actinolite asbestos, which belongs to the amphibole mineral family and is also rarely used commercially.

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Asbestos based materials are found in many different scenarios such as old Ironing boards, flue pipes, Ceilings, Barn/Factory roofs, heating pipes, structural fire protection, boilers and even floor tiles. So next time you need expert asbestos advice wit​​h a friendly service.

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