Asbestos Health
Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos related disease, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest linings. There is no cure for these diseases. The more asbestos dust inhaled, the greater the risk to health.
These diseases take a long time to develop, which means those people suffering and dying today were exposed to asbestos many years ago.
Asbestos is the greatest single cause of work-related deaths and there are already 3,000 deaths a year, with these figures expected to rise sharply in the next few decades.
That is why it is vital that asbestos based materials are identified and that everyone who works with them should take appropriate precautions.
As long as asbestos is in good condition there is little risk, but if it is disturbed and fibres are released into the air people can breathe them in.
Who is at risk?
- Anyone who carries out maintenance, repair or refurbishment of buildings involving sawing or cutting into fabric could potentially be at risk and may breathe in asbestos fibres during their day-to-day work.
- Employees working in the building.
- Visitors to the building.
