How to handle asbestos and why it is dangerous

Whether you’re breaking ground for a new building or redeveloping an old site, you’ve probably encountered the dreaded word: Asbestos. Everyone knows it’s not something you want to find, but most people don’t know what it is, how to handle it or why it’s dangerous. Let’s break it down and share some of our top tips for tackling asbestos when you spot it.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate fiber that is found in seams in the ground. It is mined in a similar way to rock in quarries and has been used by people for thousands of years from lamp wicks to home insulation. Even some archaeological digs suggest asbestos fibers were being used to strengthen pots as far back as the Stone Age.

Asbestos fibers can be classed into six types, however there are only three types that have been widely mined and used: Chrysotile (white), Amosite (brown), Crocidolite (blue). It was once seen as a very desirable material to work with as the following properties made it perfect for use in everything from safety clothing to concrete:

Not flammable

Asbestos cannot be set on fire, and when woven into materials in high quantities (up to 100%) the fire-resistant properties are enhanced. It’s been used in fire-proof suits as well as for construction, in boiler seals, stove door seals, fire blankets, fire breaks in partitions, and many other applications where open flames are present.

Non-conductive

Dry asbestos is an insulator of both heat and electricity making it an excellent material for safety clothing, circuit boards, heating systems, industrial machinery, cars, marine applications, and other high-danger situations.

Chemically inert and insoluble

Asbestos is not impacted by chemical or water immersion. It’s not affected by acid, alkali, bleaches or any other corrosive chemical. Similarly, it will not rot or break down in water making it an excellent material for almost all external applications and industrial settings.

Flexible, lightweight, and strong

Chrysotile and crocidolite are made from flexible fibers which allows them to be woven in materials, whereas amosite still has some flexibility but is less suited to applications requiring flexibility. The flexibility offered by asbestos also allows it to be used as fiber reinforcement in rigid materials such as concrete, clay, or particle boards which drastically increases the tensile strength of the material while adding no weight.

Thanks to these properties asbestos was used throughout history. The ancient Greeks made fire resistant clothing that was cleaned by burning it (the dirt would incinerate, and the cloth would be unharmed), and the Romans used it in their building materials. However, it was the Industrial Revolution and Modern age that saw the mass production of asbestos through mining and manufacturing of the substance.

From the early 1900s, asbestos was being used in factories, residential homes, and commercial buildings for insulation, roofing and to strengthen or bind material. It was also being used in electrical wiring and pipes as well as in the automotive industry for brake pads and clutches. The industry was booming!

Fast forward to the 1980s, the impact of asbestos exposure on people’s lung health started to emerge and the first UK ban was introduced in 1985. There was a lot of resistance to the proposed bans as it was considered a “super material” that was used by many industries. As a result, the usefulness of asbestos was deemed to be greater than the danger it posed. The initial ban only prohibited the use or importing of amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue) asbestos. Chrysotile (white) asbestos was deemed as “safer” than blue or brown asbestos and therefore wasn’t banned over a decade later in 1999. Today, anything built, imported, or produced before the year 2000 in the UK is flagged as a as potential Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) and should be tested.

Interestingly, every country has a different approach to asbestos bans. Major production powers such as China, Russia, India, and even the USA have not imposed full asbestos bans, with China, Russia, Brazil and Zimbabwe still operating major asbestos mining operations despite the known health risks. This blog will always reference the UK regulations, unless otherwise mentioned.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos is not inherently dangerous. When dormant, asbestos is a neutral material that is neither toxic or poisonous. However, when it is disturbed and released into the air as airborne fibers, it becomes highly dangerous and, in some cases, lethal.

The tragic irony is that asbestos’ greatest strengths are the same properties that have condemned it to the dangerous status it has today, namely; its durability and longevity. There is now an overwhelming body of evidence showing direct links from asbestos exposure to three separate medical conditions:

Asbestosis

A condition that occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs, and they get lodged. Since asbestos fibers are indestructible, they cannot be assimilated or removed by the body’s own defences. The small and sharp fibres can cause scarring and fibrosis of the lung, which over a long period of time affects lung function and can lead to very dangerous lung conditions. Asbestosis is usually caused by high occupational exposures, can take 20-40 years to develop after exposure and impacts approximately 50% of those working in these conditions.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is significantly linked with asbestos exposure, but unlike asbestosis, the exposure can be of either short-high level exposures like that found in occupational situations, or medium levels over a sustained period. The likelihood of developing lung cancer from asbestos exposure is heavily increased by smoking. The lag time for first symptoms is approximately 10 years from the first exposure.

Mesothelioma

A rare and very aggressive malignant tumour that is commonly caused by asbestos exposure. It can be due to chronic low-level exposure or by higher doses, and the risks are dose dependent. The tumour can take anywhere from 10 to 60 years to present itself, however once symptoms are present the disease has often, unfortunately, progressed beyond treatment.

Top tips for tackling asbestos

Knowing what to look out for and how to manage it is your greatest chance at reducing the risk associated with asbestos. As a groundworks business, we’ve had our share of encounters, so here are our top tips for reducing the risks before taking on any project:

Do your research: Check the register to see if asbestos has been found in the area you want to work, or the ground you want to excavate. If there is, then an asbestos management plan must be created by the building manager, main contractor or duty holder (building owner).
See, don’t touch: If asbestos is present in an area or in the ground, avoid disturbing it, if possible. In many cases re-routing a service is easier, cheaper and quicker than removing the asbestos containing material.
Wet is best: Asbestos is most dangerous when airborne, so by keeping it wet (especially when using a specialist asbestos wetting agent) the dispersal of fibers is reduced and therefore the hazard is too. This is also applicable to asbestos in the ground and is often used when asbestos is likely to be found in dry/dusty ground, or where a spoil heap is prone to drying on and turning to dust. This will not remove the hazard, only aid with reducing the likely exposure. Always work with an expert or trained per is your best chance for safe removal.
Hire an expert: In all cases where asbestos is present seek professional advice on how to proceed, do not attempt removal or work on the material.