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The word asbestos derives from the Greek word “inextinguishable” which means the material that has the ability to resist high temperatures. That’s why it has been used for centuries because of its resilient properties. Even it’s still not banned in the United States. Why? Because asbestos is resistant to fire. People started using asbestos fibers in cloth so they can be used in blankets and tablecloths. Soon after, people started using asbestos in building materials, even food production, and the automotive industry, etc. asbestos insulating boards were used in construction due to their fire-resistant and insulating properties. You can say at that time asbestos could be found in every product from thermal insulation to kitty litter because of its inexpensive production. That’s why the homes and buildings build in that era had an excessive amount of asbestos.
Later in the early 1970s when adverse health effects began to show related to asbestos-containing material. The government ordered to the removal of the asbestos-containing material with the mining efforts but there are still some products and ancient buildings where asbestos can be found.
We will discuss and research all the factors in relation to asbestos and to its effects to health later.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material that occurs in the form of microscopic thin fibers. They have some unique properties that make them stronger than steel and extremely resistant to heat and chemicals. That’s the reason asbestos was added to a variety of products.
There are six different types of asbestos
These 6 types are divided into two groups
Chrysotile is the only member of the serpentine group; the other 5 types belong to the Amphiboles group.
Out of the 6 types of asbestos, we will only discuss the common ones (Chrysotile, Amosite, and Crocidolite) that are used in the UK.
Also known as “White asbestos” but sometimes it may also be gray, green, or yellow. They come from serpentinite rock and can be 10 centimeters long.
Around 90-95% of products are made with chrysotile asbestos in the United States including cement, brake pads, roofing material, and gaskets.
Also known as “Brown asbestos” but sometimes it can be ash gray or greenish. Amosite asbestos is long straight fibers that are considered acid-resistant.
It is the second most widely used asbestos that is commonly used in insulation, ceiling, roof, floor tiles, and cement sheets.
Also known as “Blue asbestos”. They are short thin fibers and are not as heat resistant as other types of asbestos are.
They are commonly used on ceiling tiles, acid storage battery casings, spray-on insulation, and electrical wires.
An asbestos survey is a process of evaluating a building, property, or structure with the purpose of identifying asbestos-containing materials (ACM).
Asbestos is small thin fibers that cannot be identified by an eye. Therefore, an asbestos survey needs to be taken. In an asbestos survey, the material is examined in the laboratory to identify what type of asbestos is present. After the results we publish them in an easy to understand format, found in the asbestos register within the final report.
The average cost of an asbestos survey is around £400; however, the price depends on building size and its use.
Some common symptoms of asbestos are poisoning
Asbestos is dangerous because it can cause several diseases including
Here are some materials that might contain asbestos in your home
Here are some materials that might contain asbestos at your workplace
Q1. What will happen if you breathe in asbestos?
Ans. If you breath in asbestos then you might get suffer several serious diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma that increase the risk of cancer in your digestive system.
Q2. Can a face mask protect us from asbestos?
Ans. Usually, a face mask is a simple dust mask that blocks normal dust particles. This means that it is not enough to stop asbestos particles and a special particle 3 mask must be used.
Q3. Where asbestos commonly found?
Ans. Asbestos is usually found on vinyl floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring, roofing, siding shingles, attic, and wall insulation.
Q4. Can asbestos be found in walls?
Ans. Yes, because the material used in walls might have asbestos-like it might mix with cement or plasters.
Q5. Which mask do we need for asbestos?
Ans. The mask you need for asbestos is N-100, P-100, or R-100 NIOSH rating.
Our mission is to provide you the awareness about Asbestos and to reduce harm to any persons that may become in contact with it. We will provide with the up-to-date knowledge, understanding and expertise in the form a of report when commissioned to undertake your survey. Trust our professionals and contact us at support@firesafteyriskassessment.co.uk or call us at 077 8003 0185 book your appointment.
If you still have any queries related to asbestos feel free to ask, we will be happy to help you. Thank you.
Fred Wilson was always a good science student in school and college, and therefore has always known about the health risks introduced by the Asbestos mineral. After completing his education, he eagerly enrolled into environmental hazards evaluation, and completed his Asbestos Risk Assessment training recently. He has since surveyed countless houses, businesses and buildings to detect leftover traces of Asbestos, and recommended ways to exterminate this threat to responsible people.
The keen passion of Fire Safety Risk Assessment is to offer professional services, delivered in a timely manner. For all businesses, commercial premises & landlords, FSRA keeps your businesses safe controlling the risk of loss from fire hazards, asbestos risks and from legionella bacteria.