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The Union Building, 
51 - 59 Rose Lane, 
Norwich, NR1 1BY 
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What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the generic term for a wide range of naturally occurring minerals that crystallise to form long thin fibres and fibre bundles. These fibres have a high tensile strength, have heat resistant properties and are also resistant to chemical and electrical influences. It is these unique properties that in the past made asbestos something of a 'wonder material' and subsequently made asbestos extremely useful as a building and insulation material.

Asbestos facts and uses

Asbestos was widely used throughout the world and was used extensively in the United Kingdom within heating and electrical insulation products and as a general building material until 1985, (example; spray coatings, lagging and insulation board).

It was also used as a bonding and strengthening agent within other building materials such as cement board, rainwater goods, floor tiles, roof tiles, and within textured decorative coatings up until 1999 when the importation of asbestos was finally banned.

Other common uses include; stair nosing, sink pads (for acoustics), resins, plastics (such as toilet cisterns), brake pads, fuse-board flash-guards, safe linings, paint, textiles, rope, bitumen, felt, paper, mattresses and gaskets etc.
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Most common types of asbestos:

  • The serpentine group, which includes Chrysotile (white asbestos) which has been the most frequently mined
  • The amphiboles which include Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and Amosite (brown asbestos)
More information including visual representations of asbestos and where it can be found is available on the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/basics.htm
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Why is it a problem?

The inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to serious diseases; due to its 'wonder' properties (as previously mentioned) asbestos is resistant to the body's lines of defence and will not degrade or be broken down and therefore remain within the lungs. Over time this can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis, and mesothelioma (a cancer of the linings of the lungs or lower digestive tract).

Every week 20 tradesmen, including carpenters and joiners, die from asbestos-related diseases caused simply by breathing in asbestos fibres. Asbestos related diseases are currently responsible for more than 4000 deaths each year in the UK, which is more than any other work related disease.

More information including visual representations of asbestos and where it can be found is available on the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/basics.htm


Who is at Risk?
Many cases of these diseases now occurring are a result of exposure in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s when asbestos was widely manufactured. Research undertaken has identified the largest group of workers with asbestos related diseases were those in the construction industry and building maintenance trades - such as carpenters, electricians and cable layers.

The fact still remains that even today people still have the potential to be exposed to asbestos, particularly building and maintenance workers.
The Health & Safety have again re-launched the Hidden Killer Campaign to raise awareness among trade professionals that the risks from asbestos are relevant to them.

More information regarding the Hidden Killer Campaign can be accessed by clicking on the link below to direct you to the HSE website; www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/hiddenkiller/index.htm


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