Asbestos is a term for a group of minerals made of microscopic fibres that can be found in older construction material. The use of this material is dangerous and has been banned in many countries.
Asbestos can be hazardous in any environment, so there are a lot of health risks surrounding the material, some of which are myths. It is important that we understand what is factual and what is not, so let us break it down:
“Asbestos cannot be found in modern British homes.”
Although Asbestos was completely banned in the UK in 1999, which has led to many misunderstandings that it has completely diminished from construction, but that is not the case. Since it was widely used throughout the 70s and 80s, there are many properties that still contain the mineral in some form or another.
Just because it was banned, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be found in properties today. Do not rule out completely that your home cannot have the material in it simply because it was banned. If you are living in a home built before 2000, you might want to go ahead and get it inspected, especially if you are planning any construction work or refurbishment.
“Asbestos in a home makes it unsellable.”
If a homeowner knows that there is asbestos present on their property, they are legally required to disclose this fact when they put their home on the market. You can still sell the home since disclosing this fact will not stop the sale from being possible.
Do keep in mind that if a homeowner is not aware of the presence of asbestos, they are not required to disclose this information. If you suspect that you might have asbestos in your home, you should call in a professional to perform a survey of your property.
“Asbestos needs to be removed as soon as it is spotted.”
It’s a common reaction for those who find asbestos on their property to want to get it removed as soon as possible. In reality, if the material is in good condition, disturbing it might be even more hazardous than leaving it be.
When the material is not disturbed, it will not be a health risk but disturbing the material may cause the fibres to become airborne, which can be hazardous to your health. Be sure you call a surveyor so they tell you how you should proceed with your issue and whether it’s in the position to be removed or not.
“Asbestos is easily recognisable.”
Some homeowners believe that they know what the material looks like and that they can spot and identify if they have an issue. It is harder than you think to recognize the material in its whole form since it is used in building materials like cement or sprayed coatings.
To the naked eye, it may be impossible to inspect it since there are so many construction products that look similar or almost identical. It’s better to be safe rather than sorry, so call in an inspector who can surely identify and diagnose your issue for you rather than trying to rule out asbestos as an issue in your household.
Allium provides asbestos surveying & removal services – get in touch today to see how we can help.