FAQs

Asbestos is responsible for over 4000 deaths in the UK each year. Younger people in contact with asbestos are more likely to get an asbestos related illness than an older person. This is largely due to the fact that it will take a number of years for an individual to develop an asbestos related disease. The main illnesses caused by asbestos exposure are:

• Mesothelioma – Cancer in the lining of the lungs; This is untreatable and will always result in fatality
• Asbestosis – Scarring of the lungs; This type of illness makes life very uncomfortable but is not always fatal
• Asbestos related lung cancer – This type of cancer is nearly always fatal
• Diffuse pleural thickening – Thickening of the lining of the lungs; This illness makes breathing difficult

The duty to manage is a legal requirement under the control of CAR 2012 regulation 4. It applies to the owners and duty holders of commercial and industrial premises who are responsible for maintenance and repair activities. These individuals also have a duty to assess the presence and the condition of any asbestos containing materials. If asbestos is present or presumed to be present, then it must be managed effectively and responsibly. The duty also applies to shared areas of domestic properties, so landlords and tenants must highlight or record areas where asbestos is present, or potentially in place.

An asbestos survey is an effective way to help you manage asbestos at your premises. The survey will provide you with accurate information about presence, type, condition and quantities of asbestos. Although the asbestos survey is not a legal requirement, it is highly recommended that you have a survey rather than to presume that everything contains asbestos. The survey will help to realise the location and risk that the present asbestos may cause to people living and working at the property. The asbestos register can help provide enough information to help you to form a risk assessment. Following this, you can prepare a management plan and here, the team at Essex Asbestos Testing Ltd; can provide you with such a professional service using our knowledge, experience and project specific equipment.

If it was built before 1999 then yes it can. There are numerous products constructed with asbestos, which could have been used when your property was constructed. If you are thinking of buying a property and are concerned that it may contain asbestos, then we highly recommend that you have it surveyed before you commit to buy. There is a very good chance that you could be embarking on the purchase of a home that contains lots of asbestos. Please remember Essex Asbestos Testing Ltd carry out asbestos surveys and always welcome calls if you require advice and assistance.

Many cases of short-term exposure to asbestos would most likely have been minimal with little likelihood of long term ill health effects. Some activities are likely to cause more fibre release than others, so demolishing a property, or even just a little home improvement can release airborne fibres that you can take in when you breathe. If you are concerned about exposure to asbestos, please ensure that you consult your doctor immediately. When you visit your doctor or GP, make sure you take with you a record that includes any dates that you were exposed, research the type of asbestos, and list how long you were exposed to it.

Yes it does. If the exposure has been high or a long duration of which you were exposed to it, and it has been caused from the use of power tools such as drilling, cutting and by smashing and breaking, then following the incident you must report it under rules and regulations as set out by RIDDOR.

Both outbuildings and garden buildings can contain asbestos, so it is not limited to larger domestic or commercial buildings. There are licenced companies who will collect the asbestos from your property for a fee, and they will dispose of it at a licenced dumping unit and provide you with a consignment note as proof of disposal. It is important that you do not use a company who cannot supply you with this consignment note. This acts as evidence that the asbestos has been disposed of safely and at a certificated place of disposal. Alternatively, you can call your local council who will give you advice on where it can be disposed of. Please remember that when you dispose of the asbestos, it should be sealed in a suitable container (polythene bags doubled up ) and should be clearly labelled.

For further professional advice, we invite you to call our expert team. Essex Asbestos Testing Ltd are experts in the field of asbestos testing, sampling and surveying. We will assist with your enquiry promptly and offer you all of the accurate advice that you need.

Not always but Essex Asbestos Testing Ltd would recommend that a licenced contractor does carry out the work. This is because a contractor will have fully trained staff, are experienced in working to strict health and safety standards, and will be insured to carry out all types of asbestos related work. It is important to discover that the contractor you do use, if you choose not to select our professional service, is fully insured and that they can provide you with the evidence that the site no longer contains asbestos, or that it has been encapsulated, and the area is safe.

Not always but get advice from independent consultants like Essex Asbestos Testing Ltd who will give expert advice. We invite you to call us when you need answers and solutions to asbestos issues.

Contact your local authority and let them deal with it. Avoid the area and ensure that you provide them with the accurate location details so that they can attend to your call promptly, remove it, and dispose of it safely.