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What is Asbestos?

There are three main types of asbestos, Crocidolite, Amosite, and Chrysotile.

All are naturally occurring minerals mined in ore to extract the fibres, which are then used in industrial processes to manufacture asbestos products. Asbestos fibres are found naturally in the air, but in extremely small dosage, and it is the prolonged exposure to more concentrated fibre release which causes asbestos illnesses. Its also worth remembering that smokers are fifty (yes 50) times more likely to contract lung diseases from asbestos fibres.

Average death rates from asbestos illnesses are running at 3000 per year and expected to rise for at least next ten to twenty years. However asbestos products are now banned (finally in 1999) so cases will fall at some point although probably not for 50 years.

Crocidolite - Blue Asbestos. The most harmful in terms of diseases from asbestos fibres. It mainly originated in South Africa, and was exported all over the world. Crocidolite is a very dusty material and gives off fibres freely in the air when disturbed. It has a very high tensile strength, and is extremely good at resistance to acids. It appears in all sorts of finished products, but mainly thermal insulation, asbestos textiles, and asbestos insulating boards (AIB).

Amosite - Brown Asbestos. Middle ranking in terms of the danger from fibre release. It is very brittle and will release fibres if broken, so as with Crocidolite it is best left undisturbed if possible. It still is the best material ever found for resistance to heat and cold, and resistance to sound, so it was widely used. It was imported mainly from India and manufactured into sprayed coatings, AIB, and asbestos cement. It can also be in products like floor tiles, ceiling tiles, acoustic panels, etc.

Chrysotile - White Asbestos. Often heard referred to as 'safe' - it isn't! It will give off fibres less readily but can still kill. Mainly imported from the old USSR and is still very common in all sorts of products. It has the best resistance to alkali so is often found outside exposed to the effects of the weather in sheeting, gutters, rainwater piping etc. It has a very high tensile strength so was often mixed with cement to produce roofing sheets, boards, decorative plasters (Artex etc), AIB, and moulded products. A very common material in buildings and still found in huge quantities today although no longer used since 1999.

If I can be of assistance with your asbestos inspections or surveys, please call me on 0870 4422 037, or email to asbestos@pjfacilities.co.uk.