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May 05, 2022
The number of people who have died as a result of contracting an asbestos-related illness has reached new heights in recent years, following widespread use of the material between the 1950s and 1970s. Due to the latency period of illnesses such as mesothelioma sometimes occurring up to 50 years after exposure, it is thought that deaths caused by the harmful fibres are now reaching their peak.
Figures released earlier this year by the Health and Safety Executive revealed there were 2,523 deaths from mesothelioma in 2017, which is a cancer of the lining of the organs that is predominantly caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres. While the figure was found to be similar to the five previous years, rates of mesothelioma have nearly doubled since 1995 – when there were 1,317 cases. The figures also revealed that more than half of the deaths from mesothelioma were among individuals aged over 75, and 82% of these were men.
Any industrial building constructed prior to the year 2000 has the potential to contain asbestos, whether in the interior or the exterior. The substance, which was widely utilised in construction, before it was banned due to the health risks it posed, contains extremely harmful fibres that can be released and inhaled by people working or living in close proximity.
Even the lowest levels of asbestos exposure can prove harmful to those affected, which means people working in industrial settings that have asbestos – such as builders, contractors or teachers in schools that predate 2000 – are at a much higher risk of contracting these illnesses.
Before identifying where to find asbestos in an industrial setting, it is important to fully understand the extent of the damage that it can cause. When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air that can be extremely dangerous if they are inhaled. Once these fibres have been inhaled, they can cause a number of extremely serious illnesses.
These types of illness are difficult to detect and do not affect people immediately, often taking years to develop. However, once the symptoms worsen and they are eventually diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything.
Asbestos can cause the following serious illnesses:
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, as well as the lining that surrounds the lower digestive tract. Mesothelioma is almost exclusively associated with exposure to asbestos and usually, by the time it has been diagnosed, it almost always proves to be fatal.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung, which usually occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos. Developing over many years, asbestosis usually causes shortness of breath, and can prove fatal in the most severe cases.
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Asbestos-related lung cancer is very similar to that caused by smoking and other causes.
Pleural thickening
Commonly diagnosed following heavy asbestos exposure, pleural thickening occurs when the lining of the lung thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed and can cause shortness of breath and high levels of discomfort.
The presence of asbestos in an industrial building will depend on the year it was built and the company that originally constructed the building – as well as any work that was carried out before your business moved in. Despite asbestos being banned from use in new buildings for over two decades, there is still a high chance it could be present.
“despite asbestos being banned from use in new buildings for over two decades, there is still a high chance it could be present”
The three types of asbestos commonly found in offices, schools, warehouses and factories include:
• Crocidolite – blue asbestos
• Amosite – brown asbestos
• Chrysotile – white asbestos
Inside a building, asbestos can be found in a number of places. We have outlined the most common below.
Sprayed coatings
Coatings that are sprayed onto walls, ceilings, columns and beams are one of the most dangerous materials to contain asbestos and can contain up to 85% of asbestos. One of the main concerns is that this product can break up very easily, making it particularly harmful to individuals who come into contact with it.
Textiles
Old fire blankets and heat-resistant gloves commonly contain asbestos fibres. It is essential that these are identified and taken out of circulation immediately.
Floor tiles
Asbestos-containing floor tiles were extremely popular, and therefore are still found in many buildings. Old tiles that contain asbestos can sometimes be found under carpets, which have been laid on top.
Asbestos insulating board (AIB)-containing materials
AIB was commonly used as a fireproofing material, but also had a number of additional uses, including:
• Ceiling tiles
• Partition walls
• Fireproofing panels in fire doors
• Lift shaft linings
• Panels below windows
• Boiler surrounds
Rope seals and gaskets
Figures released earlier this year by the Health and Safety Executive revealed there were 2,523 deaths from mesothelioma in 2017, which is a cancer of the lining of the organs that is predominantly caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres. While the figure was found to be similar to the five previous years, rates of mesothelioma have nearly doubled since 1995 – when there were 1,317 cases. The figures also revealed that more than half of the deaths from mesothelioma were among individuals aged over 75, and 82% of these were men.
Any industrial building constructed prior to the year 2000 has the potential to contain asbestos, whether in the interior or the exterior. The substance, which was widely utilised in construction, before it was banned due to the health risks it posed, contains extremely harmful fibres that can be released and inhaled by people working or living in close proximity.
Even the lowest levels of asbestos exposure can prove harmful to those affected, which means people working in industrial settings that have asbestos – such as builders, contractors or teachers in schools that predate 2000 – are at a much higher risk of contracting these illnesses.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Before identifying where to find asbestos in an industrial setting, it is important to fully understand the extent of the damage that it can cause. When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air that can be extremely dangerous if they are inhaled. Once these fibres have been inhaled, they can cause a number of extremely serious illnesses.
These types of illness are difficult to detect and do not affect people immediately, often taking years to develop. However, once the symptoms worsen and they are eventually diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything.
Asbestos can cause the following serious illnesses:
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, as well as the lining that surrounds the lower digestive tract. Mesothelioma is almost exclusively associated with exposure to asbestos and usually, by the time it has been diagnosed, it almost always proves to be fatal.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung, which usually occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos. Developing over many years, asbestosis usually causes shortness of breath, and can prove fatal in the most severe cases.
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Asbestos-related lung cancer is very similar to that caused by smoking and other causes.
Pleural thickening
Commonly diagnosed following heavy asbestos exposure, pleural thickening occurs when the lining of the lung thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed and can cause shortness of breath and high levels of discomfort.
Identifying asbestos in an industrial building
The presence of asbestos in an industrial building will depend on the year it was built and the company that originally constructed the building – as well as any work that was carried out before your business moved in. Despite asbestos being banned from use in new buildings for over two decades, there is still a high chance it could be present.
“despite asbestos being banned from use in new buildings for over two decades, there is still a high chance it could be present”
The three types of asbestos commonly found in offices, schools, warehouses and factories include:
• Crocidolite – blue asbestos
• Amosite – brown asbestos
• Chrysotile – white asbestos
Inside a building, asbestos can be found in a number of places. We have outlined the most common below.
Sprayed coatings
Coatings that are sprayed onto walls, ceilings, columns and beams are one of the most dangerous materials to contain asbestos and can contain up to 85% of asbestos. One of the main concerns is that this product can break up very easily, making it particularly harmful to individuals who come into contact with it.
Textiles
Old fire blankets and heat-resistant gloves commonly contain asbestos fibres. It is essential that these are identified and taken out of circulation immediately.
Floor tiles
Asbestos-containing floor tiles were extremely popular, and therefore are still found in many buildings. Old tiles that contain asbestos can sometimes be found under carpets, which have been laid on top.
Asbestos insulating board (AIB)-containing materials
AIB was commonly used as a fireproofing material, but also had a number of additional uses, including:
• Ceiling tiles
• Partition walls
• Fireproofing panels in fire doors
• Lift shaft linings
• Panels below windows
• Boiler surrounds
Rope seals and gaskets
SOURCE:
https://www.hsimagazine.com/article/industrial-asbestos-detection/
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