Asbestos - what you need to know
Asbestos is a general term that refers to natural minerals that have been used in commercial products. The minerals were used because they have excellent resistance to heat and provided strength and flexibility to the finished product. The previously misunderstood dangers of asbestos came to light and lead to an asbestos ban in the UK in 1999. This means that no new products are made with these hazardous materials, however asbestos could potentially be in your home or business premises.
There are six natural minerals that are types of asbestos, all of these are hazardous to your health. The structure of the minerals contains fibres that are up to 1,000 times finer than a human hair. These fibres are carcinogenic and have been linked to numerous types of cancers. The names of the asbestos minerals are:
l Chrysotile
l Amosite
l Tremolite
l Actinolite
l Crocidolite
l Athophyllite
How do I know if I have asbestos in my home?
Asbestos was used in the manufacture of everything from roof tiles to pipe insulation. There may be asbestos present in your home or business. If the building was built in the 1980's or earlier, it is likely that asbestos may be present. If there is asbestos in the building it doesn't always mean that you have been exposed to the dangerous fibres of the minerals. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it wears out, becomes damaged or is tampered with. If the asbestos is packed inside a casing or mixed with other materials it may be harmless.
If you think that there is asbestos present, you should contact a professional company that is licensed to deal with the material. The asbestos removal company County Durham residents choose is Technical Waste Services. It is essential that you do not try to remove asbestos yourself. Breaking, damaging or removing any materials that have asbestos in them will cause the dangerous fibres to be released into the air. These carcinogenic fibres can remain in the air for hours or even days. A professional asbestos removal service will be able to remove all of the dangerous material and make sure it is done safely.
What do I do if I find asbestos?
The process for dealing with asbestos will depend on the condition of the material, the type of asbestos and if it is likely to be disturbed or damaged. Generally:
l Materials in good condition may not need to be removed
l If asbestos is present avoid disturbing the material
l Asbestos should be dealt with by a professional, qualified company
l Removal of asbestos should only be done under controlled conditions by a professional asbestos removal company
Residential asbestos disposal
If you discover asbestos and want it removed you should not try to remove the material yourself. The residential asbestos disposal service in Newcastle the North East and around the UK that homeowners choose is Technical Waste Services. Our experienced team are licensed to deal with asbestos and will make sure any hazardous material is removed from your home safely.
Commercial asbestos services
If your premises are found to contain asbestos or you come across asbestos during your business activities you will need a company that is qualified to handle it. We offer commercial asbestos services in Sunderland, Newcastle, Durham and around the UK. Business owners place their trust in us to handle their hazardous waste. Our team is passionate about offering a professional service that will make sure any waste is dealt with appropriately and according to relevant regulations.
We can offer a waste consultancy service for any of your upcoming commercial projects that may potentially involve asbestos or other hazardous materials.