Asbestos used to be used a great deal in the UK and many other countries. This was due to it having various desirable properties, including strength, fire resistance and insulation. However, as you will be aware, it’s unfortunately highly dangerous. Our air sampling pumps are designed to easily detect asbestos in the atmosphere. They can be used on a wide range of projects and meet the latest industry standards.
A short history of asbestos in the UK.
This naturally occurring material was first used in the 19th century. During the Victorian era, its usage skyrocketed, especially in the construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing industries. Products such as roofing materials, insulation, and brake linings contained asbestos.
When did health warnings first emerge about asbestos?
It was actually much earlier than you might think. In the 1920s and 1930s, medical evidence emerged that linked asbestos exposure to serious health issues, including asbestosis, a chronic lung disease.
In 1931, Britain introduced the first Asbestos Industry Regulations, which aimed to reduce dust exposure in factories. These regulations were among the first in the world to address occupational health hazards associated with asbestos.
However, during the postwar construction boom, it was used extensively in buildings, both commercial and residential. That included insulation, roofing, flooring, and various other building materials.
In the mid-1960s, asbestos exposure was linked to mesothelioma: a rare and aggressive cancer, was formally established by medical research.
Finally, in the 1960s, the growing evidence of health risks led to increased regulation. The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 required a licence for work with asbestos insulation and coating.
In 1985, The UK banned the use of blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite) asbestos. A few years later in 1992, The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations were introduced, aiming to protect workers from asbestos exposure.
Then, in 1999, there was a complete ban on the use, import, and sale of all types of asbestos.
Our air sampling pumps can help with the management and remediation of asbestos.
From the 2000s onwards, efforts have focused on managing and safely removing existing asbestos in buildings. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (updated in 2012) placed stringent requirements on building owners and employers to manage asbestos risks.
Many buildings constructed before the ban still contain asbestos. Identifying, managing, and safely removing asbestos remains a significant public health challenge. With our air sampling pumps, you can produce the test results you need.
More information on why air testing is so crucial for asbestos.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of thin, fibrous crystals. There are six main types of asbestos fibres, including chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Chrysotile (white asbestos) is the most commonly used form, while crocidolite (blue asbestos) is considered the most dangerous.
Health Risks: When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, fibres can become airborne and inhaled. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to serious respiratory diseases, including:
Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease characterised by scarring of lung tissue.
Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.
Lung Cancer: Increased risk in people exposed to asbestos, especially if they smoke.
Latency Period: Diseases caused by asbestos exposure typically have a long latency period. Symptoms may not appear until 10-50 years after exposure.
Many countries have regulations to limit asbestos exposure. For instance, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States sets permissible exposure limits (PELs) for asbestos in the workplace to protect workers.
Airborne asbestos fibres are typically measured using phase contrast microscopy (PCM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Monitoring is essential in environments where asbestos materials are present to ensure safe air quality.
What are the main sources of exposure?
Asbestos can be found in various building materials, including insulation, roofing, floor tiles, and cement products. It can also be present in older vehicles' brake pads and clutches.
Asbestos abatement involves safely removing or encapsulating asbestos-containing materials. This process should be performed by licensed professionals following strict safety protocols to prevent fibre release.
Did you know that asbestos fibres can remain airborne for a long time?
They can also travel significant distances from the source, posing a risk to people far from the initial exposure site.
Initial symptoms of asbestos-related diseases include shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, and fatigue. These symptoms can worsen over time, leading to more severe health issues.
Homes built before the 1980s are more likely to contain asbestos.
Common areas include attic insulation, floor tiles, and pipe insulation. Homeowners should not disturb these materials and should seek professional help for inspection and removal. Airbox Sampling Products want to make it easier to minimise the risk of asbestos exposure and protect public health.