Asbestos kills - get your surveys done now!

What are the health risks from exposure to asbestos?

The risks from asbestos arise from asbestos fibres getting into the body, usually the lungs.

Asbestos left in good condition, sealed or encapsulated, and left undisturbed does not present health risks. In the vast majority of cases the best course of action in managing asbestos is to leave it alone! Any company conducting your asbestos surveys who also carry out removal should be telling you this (some don't). I do not carry out asbestos removal and as such am completely independent. My usual advice is to manage in situ (with or without the help of PJ Facilities) unless there are obvious risks in this strategy.

The main health risks come from the lung diseases of:

Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum). Malignant Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, which is difficult to diagnose, and which does not respond well to treatment. Mesothelioma is usually an asbestos-related disease, and is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. People who develop Mesothelioma have a particularly bad prognosis. Around 75% die within one year of diagnosis.

Lung Cancer - Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung cancer. A very important point is that asbestos exposure and smoking act together to produce a huge risk of lung cancer in people exposed to both hazards. It’s estimated that around 4 per cent of all cancer deaths may be caused by exposure to a cancer-causing substance at work. Around half of these deaths are caused by asbestos but there are other chemicals and processes that can increase the risk of developing cancer.

Asbestosis - Asbestosis is a reaction of the lung to the presence of asbestos fibres which, having reached the bronchioles and air sacs, cause a fibrous thickening in the network distribution, mainly in the lower parts of the lung. There follows a loss of elasticity in the lung tissue, (relative to the concentration of fibres inhaled and the duration of exposure) resulting in breathing difficulty. Symptoms develop slowly after a period of exposure which can vary from a few to many years. Asbestosis predisposes to cancer of the bronchus, a risk increased by cigarette smoking.

Symptoms and Outcome - The main symptoms include shortness of breath on exertion, a persistent cough, chest pain or tightening of the chest, nail abnormalities (such as ridges developing on the nails or white streaks on the nails) and thickening of the fingers and toes.

There is no cure for asbestos diseases, but, as severity depends on the length of exposure and amount of asbestos dust inhaled, early identification through chest x-ray can prevent further exposure and worsening of conditions.

There are other diseases such as Pleural Plaques, Pleural Thickening etc but they don't usually kill on their own (but can contribute to death in conjunction with other illnesses). The pleura is a two-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the rib cage. Some asbestos fibres inhaled into lungs work their way out to the pleura and may cause fibrosis or scarring to develop there.

What price your health and that of the people in your building? Even if the prospect of a visit from the Enforcing Authorities, or the refusal of commercial insurance, doesn't prompt you to get your property inspected perhaps this aspect should? You have a duty under the Health & Safety at Work Act to provide a safe environment for your employees.

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.