You’ve probably heard people talking about the risks of asbestos at some point or another. Inhaling asbestos fibres can have huge implications for your physical health, putting you at risk of developing a number of diseases and ailments that could prove disastrous and sometimes even fatal. In fact, it’s estimated that the dangerous substance kills around forty tradespeople every single week.

Why Was Asbestos Used In the First Place?

Asbestos is widely acknowledged to be the construction industry’s biggest error. It is a naturally occurring substance that has been in use for thousands of years and became popular in the UK construction industry after the industrial revolution when it was imported for manufacturing purposes. It became one of the most widespread products for construction in the 50s and 60s.

On the surface, asbestos was the ideal material for workers. Naturally strong, cheap to use, fire and water-resistant, heat and sound-insulating – the list of benefits is unending. It’s no wonder why it took the construction industry by storm. Workers left, right and centre used the substance to build countless products, including roof tiles, floor tiles, fire doors, cladding, window sills and toilet seats. It wasn’t until 1999 that people fully realised the dangers and had it banned from use in the UK. Regardless, it still remains in thousands of properties across the country, mixed into the fabric of the buildings. When dislodged, it can be inhaled by people and cause significant health problems.

What are the Risks?

The problem was that the strength of the asbestos fibres proved too much for the human body to handle. When inhaled, they can essentially slice into lung tissue, causing a whole host of problems that could prove catastrophic for your health. While asbestos is not currently used in construction, it appears that health problems caused by the substance can take years to show, which is why many people who inhaled asbestos fifty years ago still suffer from its effects today.

Some of the most common diseases caused by asbestos exposure include:

Asbestosis: This is a respiratory disease caused by scarred lungs.

Lung Cancer: This is a tumour that blocks the lung’s air passages. Smoking tobacco may exacerbate this cancer. 

Mesothelioma: This is a form of cancer that covers the chest cavity and lungs. Symptoms may not arise until thirty to forty years after asbestos exposure.

Will I Be Affected?

Not everybody exposed to asbestos will develop a deadly disease, though it is always worth being wary. Whether or not you are affected depends on a number of factors, including the amount you were exposed to, whether you already suffer from breathing conditions and whether or not you smoke tobacco.
If you suspect you may have been affected, it’s always worth talking to a doctor so they can assess your risks and spot any problems before they escalate. We also highly recommend avoiding smoking, as this could significantly worsen the situation.

I Suspect My Property May Be Contaminated…

Nowadays, people are a lot more clued in on the dangers of asbestos and have developed safe methods of removing the dangerous substance from buildings. If you think your property may be contaminated, get in touch with a member of the Clearaway Asbestos team, and we can arrange a sample test to identify any asbestos on the premises. We will happily remove the substance from your property in a safe, efficient manner and replace any roofs where necessary.