| The Asbestos Information Centre (AIC) is an independent organisation that provides advice to the general public and others on managing asbestos containing products in buildings to keep the fibre release to the minimum. Our knowledge of asbestos containing building products is extensive but although we are aware of the use of asbestos containing products in gaskets, electrical goods and special filters this is not our area of expertise. |
| This is a UK site and so our advice is based on what we understand the UK law to be, the advice we give on how to manage and work with asbestos containing products, may not be applicable outside of the UK. |
| The word asbestos today conjures up a genuine fear of irreversible damage to health and we now recognise that many deaths today are attributable to people working with asbestos many years ago. |
| Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance, so some asbestos fibres are naturally liberated into the atmosphere. Everybody is exposed to some asbestos fibres at all times, whether working under an asbestos cement roof, playing in the local park or sailing across the ocean. At the very low natural levels they do not cause a danger, they become dangerous when the level of free fibres is increased by the inappropriate use by man. |
| The sale and use of asbestos containing products in the UK was finally prohibited in November 1999. |
| There is a large amount of ignorance about the amount of asbestos in products, the amount in buildings and the health hazards associated with asbestos in buildings. |
| The AIC does not have all the answers but it does have some that can be found on this web site. |
| The Advice Note on Working With Asbestos Cement Products advises how the products should be worked with to keep fibre release to a minimum. |
| In the FAQ area there are other techniques on how to keep fibre release to a minimum when working with other products. |
| There is a general belief that asbestos containing products are always releasing dangerous quantities of fibres and therefore as soon as they are recognised they should be removed and disposed of. This would be counter productive. Because of the widespread use of asbestos containing materials since 1900 we can be confident that the majority of buildings built before 1985 probably have some asbestos in them. Since the use of asbestos in building products was not finally prohibited until 1999 you can only be sure a property is asbestos free in built after 2000. When these materials are in good condition and are not being disturbed they will not be releasing dangerous quantities of fibres. As soon as they are disturbed to be removed, however careful the operative is, he will release larger quantities of fibres than if the material was left alone. |
| Many asbestos containing materials have a very long life and so if left until they come to the end of their economic life they could be in place for another 50 years. If though they are removed in a short period of time because their danger has been exaggerated then a higher than necessary quantity of fibres will be released into the environment , which will be counter productive. When asbestos containing materials are found, how they are treated should be based on the following advice.
|
| The information in this web site has been obtained from a number of different sources and so the Asbestos Information Centre Ltd, can not be held responsible for any inaccuracies. This web site is not a complete guide to the Health and Safety responsibilities when dealing with asbestos containing products. The information given is of a general nature and so does not address the specific circumstances of any particular situation. The guidance is given with the best intentions but nothing in this web site shall create or be deemed to create any obligations, whether expressed or implied, on the AIC. |
