This highly toxic mineral was used extensively until it was discovered it can cause a wide range of diseases, most of which attack the lungs and cause inflammation. We’ll take a deeper look at the mineral and best safety practices to help you prevent exposure.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was once sought after because of its naturally flexible fibres. Asbestos is located near the earth’s surface, allowing miners easy access to this fiberous mineral through open-cast mining.
What set the mineral apart was the fact that it is resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. It is also a very versatile mineral and can be added to cloth, paper, cement, plastic and many other types of materials to make them stronger.
Types of asbestos
Asbestos comes in various forms. All are dangerous because of the hazardous effect that they can have on humans when inhaled.
Let’s take a look at some of the different types of asbestos.
Chrysotile
This type of asbestos is often known as white asbestos. It can be found in roofs, ceilings, and walls. This type of asbestos was also used in automobile brake linings, gaskets and boiler seals. Additionally, it was commonly used in insulation for pipes, ducts and appliances.
Raw amosite asbestos
Amosite also known as brown asbestos was commonly found in cement sheets and pipe insulation. It is also typically found in ceiling tiles and thermal insulation products.
Raw crocidolite asbestos
Crocidolite (blue asbestos) was commonly used to insulate steam engines. It was also used in some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, plastics and cement products.
Raw anthophyllite asbestos
Anthophyllite was used in limited quantities for insulation products and construction materials. It also occurs as a contaminant in chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc. It may have a grey, dull green or white colour.
Raw tremolite asbestos
While this type of asbestos, often paired with actinolite, was not used commercially, it was most commonly found as contaminants in chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc. Both types of asbestos are typically brown, white, green, grey or transparent.
Diseases associated with asbestos
Several diseases and health issues are linked with asbestos exposure:
Mesothelioma - is a rare cancer of the chest and stomach lining. This disease only affects people that have been exposed to asbestos.
Lung cancer - this form of cancer is often fatal and has a low survival rate compared with other cancers.
Asbestosis - also called diffused pulmonary fibrosis, can cause severe scarring of the inner lung.
Pleural Plaques - this is when the body produces too many calcified forms of collagen.
Pleural Effusion - this is a condition that causes fluid to collect around the lungs.
Diffuse pleural thickening - this happens when scarring thickens the lining of the lungs and chest wall.
Atelectasis - partially deflated or collapsed lung.
Peritoneal or pericardial effusions - this is an excess fluid build-up in the abdomen or heart.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - causes difficulty breathing and may lead to lung cancer.
How does exposure happen?
Diseases occur after prolonged and repeated exposure. In most cases, exposure comes through a person’s occupation. Workers in the construction industry, shipyards and factories are those most likely to have been repeatedly exposed to asbestos.
Even though exposure to asbestos through environmental and secondary exposure is far less common, it can still happen. Virtually everyone has been exposed to the mineral during their lifetime. However, as long as it is minimal amounts, it does not cause any significant health problems.
Bans and legislation on asbestos
Asbestos use is now heavily legislated, with many countries banning it altogether. Asbestos use was completely banned in the UK in 1999. It is now a requirement to use adeqate Asbestos Signs and Asbestos Labels to help warn of asbestos hazards, alongside appropriate PPE and Asbestos suitable breathing masks
Before it was officially banned asbestos was used extensively in the building of houses. A rough estimate indicates that as many as 50% of homes built pre 1999 may still contain asbestos. Therefore, whenever a project involves the demolition or renovation of a building, there’s a good chance asbestos may be present.
After, the ban more legislation was developed to help the public deal with asbestos. On the 21st November 2002, the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations were introduced. With these new regulations, anyone working with any asbestos insulation products has to have an asbestos licence. The legislation also set out new work regulations that set maximum exposure limits.
In 2006, the 2002 regulations were replaced by the new Control of Asbestos Regulations Act. This Act brought together all existing pieces of legislation, focusing on laws pertaining to the prohibition of the use, supply and importation of all asbestos.
How to deal with asbestos removal on construction sites
If a building is to be renovated, it’s vital there are plans available for that structure. If it was constructed using asbestos, then a specialist team must demolish or make the building safe. The HSE recommends that a risk assessment be carried out to determine the level of exposure. Next, it must be determined if the removal should be done by licensed professionals. This is recommended in most cases.
Remember that all work with sprayed asbestos coatings and asbestos lagging, and most work with asbestos insulation and asbestos insulating board (AIB) requires a licenced professional.
While some removal can be done by unlicensed individuals the person may still have to submit documents pertaining to notification of work, medical surveillance and ensure proper record keeping. This work is known as notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW). You should still need to be trained before attempting asbestos removal.
You should use specialist breathing equipment when removing asbestos. Additionally, you must warn people about the presence of asbestos with the appropriate asbestos signage.
What should I do if I am asked to work where there is asbestos?
If you are not trained to remove asbestos, then the short answer is refuse. If that means you lose your job, so be it! Your health is more important.
It’s important to report the issue to the HSE should you be forced to work with asbestos so that no one else is coerced or forced to damage their health. You can do so by calling their concerns team: 0300 003 1647 during office hours 8.30 am - 5.00 pm, Monday - Friday.
Useful Links
Further information on Asbestos can be found at the following sources:
- https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l143.htm
- https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asbestosis/
