Asbestos - The Hidden Killer
17 December 2007
During the late 1970’s and early 80’s, asbestos hit the headlines as the full extent of its health effects became apparent.
Blue asbestos was named as the cause for many deaths and entered the public’s subconscious as being synonymous with the images of people terminally ill due to exposure whilst working in ship yards and other heavy industries. Whilst this image was very powerful and had a profound effect on how people perceived the risks from asbestos, it did not tell the whole story.
Asbestos, of all types, has been used extensively in buildings and on industrial sites for many years but during the peak of its usage in the 1960’s and 70’s, over 150,000 tonnes of asbestos were imported into the UK every year. This was often mixed with other materials so the weight of asbestos containing products made each year could be many hundreds of times this figure, but as no detailed records were kept we can only guess at a total figure.
As previously mentioned, everyone has heard of asbestos and will be aware that it is harmful to their health but many assume that it had all been removed long ago and that they had little reason to worry or suspect that they may be exposed to asbestos contamination; unfortunately this is far from the truth. Asbestos is responsible for more than 4000 deaths each year in the UK, more than any other work related illness and this figure is still rising. The symptoms of an asbestos related illness may take 15 to 60 years before they become apparent and once diagnosed there is no known cure. Therefore we must try to prevent exposure to asbestos and where this is not possible, reduce the exposure to the lowest level reasonably practicable.
Asbestos containing materials were commonly used as construction materials, thermal and acoustic insulation, electrical insulation, decorative plasters, roofing and flooring products, gaskets and friction products and although less common after 1990, these products were not completely banned until 1999. It is estimated that there are still millions of tonnes of asbestos containing products in 1.5 million buildings and industrial sites today.
However, if the asbestos material is in good condition and remains undisturbed, it is unlikely to represent a serious health risk. The danger arises when it is disturbed or becomes damaged, releasing asbestos fibres into the atmosphere allowing them to be breathed in. The type of work that can cause the release of these asbestos fibres include, drilling holes, sawing and sanding, removal and accidental damage and abrasion.
Medical research into the medical effects of exposure to asbestos fibres has shown that it can cause illnesses such as mesathelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Research conducted in 1995 by Professor Julian Peto, indicated that a quarter of all the people who are currently dying from an asbestos related disease, have at some point worked in the building or construction industry. This is largely due to them being exposed unwittingly to asbestos contamination during work not directly involving asbestos but which results in asbestos being disturbed or damaged during the operation. This is still happening on a daily basis and it is therefore essential that people are given the training needed for them to understand the risks involving asbestos and to recognise the locations and products likely to contain asbestos and to provide them with the necessary information required to allow them to take the correct steps should they encounter asbestos materials, or suspect that a material could contain asbestos.
The workers most at risk from asbestos at present, are not asbestos removers who have received training and who use the correct type of protective equipment, but electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, painters and decorators, joiners, plasterers, demolition and construction workers and general maintenance workers. The HSE recognise this fact and include a list of trades that should receive asbestos awareness training in their publication “Work with materials containing asbestos” which is an approved code of practice for the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
Asbestos related illnesses are entirely preventable if the correct procedures are followed, the key to this is training. Knowing the risks and how to avoid exposing yourself and others to asbestos will result in the prevention of thousands of needless deaths from this hidden killer.
To find out more about asbestos awareness training courses, general information to keep yourself safe from asbestos or to become a member and receive all important up to date information on asbestos call ACAD (Asbestos Control and Abatement Division) on 01325 466704 or log onto www.tica-acad.com
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 18/12/2007 - ACAD Alternative Codes of Practice for Surveyors and Asbestos Removers
- 18/12/2007 - Award Winning TICA
