What is asbestos and how can it affect you?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that has been a popular building material since the 1950s. It is used as an insulator (to keep in heat and keep out cold), has good fire protection properties and protects against corrosion.

If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises which may contain asbestos, or if you are responsible for the non-private, ie common parts of domestic premises like hall and lift areas in flats, you will either have a legal duty to manage the risk from this material; or a duty to co-operate with whoever manages that risk.

There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises. These are commonly called "blue asbestos" (crocidolite), "brown asbestos" (amosite) and "white asbestos" (chrysotile). All of them are dangerous carcinogens, but blue and brown asbestos are more hazardous than white. You cannot identify them just by their colour.

Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it's hard to know if you're working with it or not. But, if you work in a building built before the year 2000, it's likely that some parts of the building will contain asbestos.

Asbestos is most commonly found in sprayed coating (fire protection on structural supports, eg columns and beams), pipe insulation, ceiling and door panels, window panels, floor tiles, cement roof sheeting and textured decorative coating such as Artex.

Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos-related diseases, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest lining.

Asbestos is only a risk to health if asbestos fibres are released into the air and breathed in. Past exposure to asbestos currently kills around 4000 people a year in Great Britain. This number is expected to go on rising at least until 2016. There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases.

Anyone who uses your premises, who disturbs asbestos that has deteriorated or been damaged and is releasing fibres, can be at risk. In fact, anyone whose work involves drilling, sawing or cutting into the fabric of premises could potentially be at risk. They may all breathe in asbestos fibres during their day-to-day work.

Asbestos waste should be double-bagged in heavy duty polythene bags and clearly labelled with the label prescribed for asbestos, before it is transported to a disposal site. The waste can only be disposed of at a site licensed to receive it. Your local authority will have information on licensed sites in the area.