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ASBESTOS - 8 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW. SOME OF THESE WILL SHOCK YOU!

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Asbestos Facts

Here are 8 asbestos-related facts that may surprise you:

  1. Asbestos is natural. In fact, its name refers to a group of 6 minerals that are mined for a wide range of applications. Christotile, amosite and crocidolite (respectively, white, brown and blue) are the most common type to have been used in the UK.
  2. Banned in the UK. Asbestos was banned in the UK for use in new products in 1992, and in 1999 it was banned to sell or fix products that contained the material.
  3. Continues to kill. Despite it no longer being used in new constructions, for generations its use was widespread; so much so that even today 2000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung caused each year.
  4. Widespread use. Before the dangers of asbestos were known, some of its applications went far beyond use in the construction industries. In the first half of the last century it was variously used as fake snow, in cigarette filters, in Artex and – shockingly – in toothpaste. Recently asbestos was also discovered in children’s crayons, manufactured abroad and being sold in the USA !
  5. Asbestos in the workplace and at home. Although asbestos is an extremely dangerous material – even just a small quantity of asbestos dust can be seriously harmful – asbestos materials that are in good condition are not a health risk and are, in fact, very common. Nevertheless, its condition should be checked regularly, and tradespeople informed of its whereabouts before commencing any work on the premises.
  6. High risk occupations. Shipbuilders, construction workers, HVAC engineers, plasterers, roofing contractors, demolition crews, painters, pipe fitters and domestic maintenance workers are among the highest risk occupations.
  7. Low-level exposure. Trace quantities of asbestos are present in the environment, so practically everybody in the UK is exposed to it – although at extremely low, non-hazardous levels.
  8. Insurance payouts. Insurance claims during the 1990s became so commonplace that thousands of Lloyd’s of London investors went bankrupt, nearly crashing the entire the institution.

Asbestos is clearly an extremely dangerous substance that requires expert training for those who are likely to be exposed to it. For more information on asbestos removal, mesothelioma and treatment, visit http://www.asbestos.com

Asbestos Facts: Cleanroom Supplies offers a range of asbestos removal disposables, including disposable protective clothing, waste disposal sacks and other vital removal equipment.

Also, see the asbestos training course Powerpoint presentation and PDF data sheet located on our website.