It is estimated that around 3,500 people die from asbestos related diseases each year
"Asbestos is a general term used to describe several forms of naturally occuring silicate materials"
The number one industrial killer in the UK
It is estimated that around 3,500 people die from asbestos related diseases each year and it is getting worse. By 2020 the number will be closer to 10,000 per year. Diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer are caused by inhaling fatal doses of asbestos fibres. It can take anywhere from 15 to 60 years after first exposure before the development of these fatal diseases, but once diagnosed can be fatal within 6 months.
What is asbestos ?
Asbestos is a generic term used to describe several forms of naturally occurring silicate materials. It has been used for about 150 years on a large commercial scale. It is versatile, plentiful and ideal as a fire proofing and insulation material. The most common types of asbestos are Chrysotile (white) asbestos used in cement product, rope, brake linings, millboard, gloves and fire blankets, pipe lagging, Artex etc. Amosite (brown) asbestos used in insulating board, Eternit toilet cisterns, pipe lagging, spray coatings etc. and Crocidolite (blue) asbestos used in cement products, pipe lagging, spray coatings etc.
Where does asbestos come from ?
Asbestos comes from mines all over the world and was imported from such places as: Russia, Turkey, Bolivia, Italy, Cyprus, Wales, China, Australia, Brazil, South America, Mexico, USA, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Asbestos - The Facts