C&M ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Safe Asbestos Solutions
1-2 The Grange
High Street, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1AH
Unit 64
Capital Business Centre, 22 Carlton Road, South Croydon, CR2 0BS
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Here's a list of some of our most common asbestos questions
Asbestos is a hazardous material that was commonly used in the UK as a building material before its harmful effects were recognized. Asbestos was used for multiple purposes, including roofing, insulation, and fireproofing.
Asbestos has been a popular building material in the UK for many years. Its widespread use has resulted in it being present in many buildings constructed before 2000, including factories, offices, schools, hospitals and houses. However, despite being considered safe when in good condition, asbestos can pose a health risk to individuals when its fibres become airborne due to damage or wear and tear.
Removing asbestos safely and effectively requires professional expertise and specialised equipment, as airborne asbestos fibres pose a significant threat to public health. Asbestos removal companies can provide expert advice and removal services, ensuring that buildings are safe and free from this hazardous material.
Asbestos is a highly dangerous substance that can cause serious illnesses and fatalities when inhaled. The fibres emitted by asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and diffuse pleural thickening.
There is over 5,000 asbestos related disease deaths per year, according to UKATA (UK Asbestos Training Association). In 2020, 2,544 mesothelioma deaths were recorded and similar lung cancer deaths due to exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to these fibres, especially in high concentrations, can increase a person’s likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease. Individuals working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials are at a higher risk of exposure to dangerous levels of asbestos.
As such, asbestos removal is an important process that should be carried out by certified professionals to ensure the safe handling and disposal of the material. It is essential to take every precaution against asbestos to keep individuals safe from its harmful effects.
Exposure to asbestos can have severe health consequences, so it’s important to understand when you’re at risk.
This could be when you are working on an unfamiliar site or when asbestos-containing materials were not identified before starting a job.
Additionally, if you do not know how to recognise and work safely with asbestos, you could be putting yourself at risk. However, even if you know how to work safely with asbestos, choosing not to follow proper precautions can still be dangerous.
Remember, asbestos is only a danger when its fibres are made airborne. Although you can’t see or smell asbestos fibres in the air, the effects of being exposed to asbestos can take many years to show up. Therefore, it is important to take all necessary precautions to minimise exposure to asbestos and protect your health, especially if you are a smoker as this increases the risk.
Where you may find asbestos
This image is for illustration purposes and is not entirely exhaustive of where you may find asbestos.
Fascia Boards
Asbestos facia boards were usually constructed either from Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) or asbestos cement. Identifying whether the boards contain AIB or asbestos cement is typically challenging, as they are often painted. This makes it hard to spot discrepancies such as white spores and markings.
Cement Tiles
Asbestos would commonly be combined with materials like cement to manufacture roof tiles, with the asbestos content comprising approximately 10-15% of the overall mixture.
Cement Water Tank
Typically found in a loft or void, asbestos cement water tanks have asbestos content ranging from 5-10%.
Cement Pipe & Pipe Lagging
Asbestos pipe lagging can be one of the most dangerous forms of asbestos. This form of asbestos is usually wrapped around piping, and if its in poor condition the dangerous microscopic fibres may be released into the air where they can be inhaled.
Loose Fill Asbestos
This was used to insulate industrial and domestic premises so can be found in between cavity walls, under floor boards and in loft spaces. Its appearance is loose fluffy insulation, which may be blue-grey or white in colour. It is considered the most dangerous asbestos containing material. Loose fill comprises of pure asbestos which can release large amounts of fibres into the air, where they can be breathed in.
Cement Guttering
Asbestos cement guttering and down pipes were used from the 1950s as it was a cheap and readily available material. If any of your cement guttering or down pipes show signs of damage or are leaking, it would be advisable to consider getting these removed and replaced with a more modern material such as UPVC.
Cement Down Pipe
During the 1950s, asbestos cement guttering and downpipes were commonly installed due to their cost-effectiveness and accessibility. If any damage or leakage is detected in your cement guttering or downpipes, it is recommended that you consider replacement with a more contemporary material such as UPVC.
Toilet Cistern & Toilet Seat
A small amount of asbestos was used in toilet seats and toilet cisterns to make them stronger and to last longer. They were usually made from a product known as bakelite.
Artex Ceiling & Wall Coatings
Textured coatings were commonly applied on walls and ceilings for decorative purposes. Traditionally marketed under trade names such as “Artex,” it’s difficult to determine its asbestos content through visual inspection alone. In order to be certain, samples need to be taken and tested. Although many Artex products used to contain asbestos, Artex that is free of asbestos has been available since around the 1970s.
Soffit Boards
Asbestos soffit boards were either constructed from AIB (Asbestos insulating board) or asbestos cement. It can generally be quite difficult to identify whether AIB or asbestos cement has been used in the soffit boards as they are often painted and therefore hide any discrepancies such as white spores and markings.
Boiler Flue Pipe
Boiler flue pipes are usually made up of asbestos cement and commonly found in older systems and will need to be removed.
AIB (Asbestos Insulating Board)
Asbestos insulating board (AIB) was often used as fireproofing material, however it had additional uses including: Soffits, ceiling tiles, window boards, partition walls, and fire door panels.
Floor Tiles
Asbestos floor tiles were once an in-demand choice for flooring. Old asbestos tiles can remain concealed beneath carpets.
Flue Pipe
Flues are commonly made up from white asbestos. As with all asbestos there is a health hazard if the flue is damaged as harmful fibres can be released into the air.
Bath Panel
Asbestos bath panels were usually made from asbestos cement containing 10-15% chrysotile and came in many colours. You could also find bath panels as AIB’s with a glazed finish also in multiple colours.
Additional areas you may find asbestos
- AIB Ceiling Tiles
- AIB Partition wall
- AIB behind consumer unit/fuse board
- AIB Airing cupboard, sprayed insulation on hot water tank
- AIB Interior wall
- AIB around boiler, storage heaters, and warm air systems
- AIB behind fireplace
- Roofing felt
- Garage and shed roofs
(AIB – Asbestos insulating board)