DMW have developed a range of handbooks to inform home owners, residents of registered social landlords and schools about the risk of asbestos.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a range of building materials to make them more rigid and fire resistant. Asbestos was used extensively as a building material and in other products in the UK especially between the 1950s through to the mid 1980s. However it was not banned in all its form in the UK until the year 2000.
Download our FREE Information Handbook
Simply click on the images below…
Common areas where asbestos may be found in the home, school or workplace include:
- Textured finishes such ‘artex’
- Eaves, gutters and rainwater pipes
- Older pipe lagging and boilers
- Garage and shed roofs
- Linings for walls, ceilings and doors
- Insulation panels in some storage heaters
- Bath panels
- Boxing in kitchens and bathrooms etc
- Flue pipes
- Loose infill to floors and in partition walls
- Floor tiles and underlying adhesive
- Ironing boards
- Fire blankets
Why is asbestos is a concern?
Most people are exposed to low amounts of asbestos present in the atmosphere with no ill effects. However, asbestos fibres and dust are particularly dangerous if inhaled in higher concentrations over a period of time. The latter can cause lung diseases including cancers such as mesothelioma affecting the lining around the lung. The symptoms of these diseases often don’t appear for between 15 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.
Important points to remember if you think you have asbestos in your home, school or workplace
Asbestos in many of its forms can be difficult to tell apart from other building materials.
- Remember that asbestos when sealed and good condition poses a very low risk. Unless it is damaged or disturbed, it is safe to leave it in place
- Never sand, drill or saw asbestos materials
- Only remove asbestos if repair is not possible or the material is likely to be disturbed
- Always seek professional advice before thinking of removing asbestos materials
If you wish to get a survey of your house, only use a competent company. HSE recommend asbestos surveyors accreditated to ISO 17020 or ISO 17024. Ask the company for evidence of this.