In the UK, more than 1.5 million buildings are estimated to contain traces of asbestos.

Many of these buildings are active public spaces, such as hospitals and schools.

Even family homes built before 1999 can contain asbestos in areas such as the surrounds of pipes and boilers, wall cavities, texture coating, soffit boards and insulation boards in wall partitions.

Turn the clocks back to the 1950s, and asbestos was a revelation to the construction industry.

Today, its use is banned and its presence is a major public health risk. So much so that only licensed contractors such as Maylarch Environmental Ltd are legally permitted to remove asbestos.

But how is asbestos identified, and – perhaps more significantly – what are the immediate steps to take when asbestos is located. In this blog, we deep-dive to summarise everything you need to know about asbestos and how you can safely remove it with the help of our team.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring mineral fibres.

Its use dates back to 4000BC when Egyptians would use asbestos to make candle wicks and clothing due to its fire-resistant properties.

As asbestos can withstand high temperatures without melting or degrading, it has historically been used widely in the construction industry to create fire resistant materials, textiles for protective clothing and car parts such as brake pads and clutches.

A blanket ban on buying, selling and importing all types of asbestos was imposed in the UK in 1999.

Public threat

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), asbestos related illnesses are the greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can irritate and scar lung tissues, which over time can cause irreversible damage to a person’s lungs meaning they cannot contract and expand normally.

Annually, approximately 5,000 people will lose their life from asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

How to identify asbestos

Materials suspected to be asbestos require careful visual inspection from a trained professional.

Trusted organisations experienced in safely removing asbestos are licenced by the HSE and some are also members of The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA). These organisations follow ARCA standards such as Asbestos Removal for Contract Managers, Risk Assessments and Licensed Contractor Management.

Maylarch Environmental Ltd has held a full licence from the HSE for asbestos removal since 1999, and have been members of ARCA since 2005.

For complete peace of mind, it’s highly recommended a UKAS accredited asbestos survey and laboratory testing are completed for formal identification.

Regrettably, in almost all circumstances, identifying asbestos is not a black and white process that can be carried out by the untrained eye.

When to know if asbestos needs removing

It’s not always advisable to remove asbestos.

For example, if asbestos is in good condition and in an area where it is unlikely to be disturbed or damaged – meaning harmful fibres would not be released into the atmosphere – it might be best to leave it untouched.

In scenarios where materials suspected to be asbestos could be damaged, it is critical a professional team is hired to handle its removal and safe disposal.

Common cases where asbestos will be disturbed include renovations, demolitions and maintenance work on older buildings.

The process of removing asbestos

Removing asbestos is generally broken down into four areas:

1. Preparation

Secure the area with polythene to prevent the spread of fibres and turn off any systems which might assist asbestos spreading locally.

2. Removal

Water mixed with a specialist fibre suppressant, minimises dust and fibre release, so, it should be lightly sprayed onto all asbestos containing materials. Asbestos should be double-bagged in suitably labelled asbestos bags to prevent spread and surfaces wiped down with damp cloths to remove any remaining debris.

3. Air Testing

Air testing and clearances will be carried out to ensure that the removal has been completed safely, and the areas are suitable for reoccupation.

4. Disposal

It is illegal to dispose of asbestos anywhere other than a licensed landfill site that is specifically equipped to safely contain and manage asbestos-containing materials.

Maylarch Environmental Ltd – your asbestos removal experts

At Maylarch Environmental Ltd, we regularly handle complex asbestos removal cases on sites across Oxfordshire, Thames Valley, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and the Greater London area.

You can find out more about our asbestos removal division which specialises in the safe removal and remediation of asbestos-based materials by clicking here.

If in doubt, sort it out. Our team are at the end of the phone should you require support or advice.