What Is Asbestos and How Does It Work?

Asbestos is a man made product made from docile minerals and it can be found anywhere in the world. There are almost 6 million blanket fibres in use worldwide. Asbestos is widely used in construction including flats, walls, ceilings and also insulation in floorboards. Asbestos can also be found in soil from roof to floor below.

Once it has been used as temporary insulation for cold houses it was not considered safe for long term, domestic use. Asbestos was recognised as a dangerous product for humans and as such asbestos removal was only used in very select roles such as rat flats and very large industrial plants such as plant offices. Above 1.5 million used asbestos annually are thought lost forever.

The majority of building occupants probably don't know that asbestos is still present in the building as its use has become increasingly widespread. As a result the number of health violations as a result of asbestos has risen sharply and many now believe that at least 1.5 million people have asbestos as they have been classed as a public health risk.

Asbestos is so common however that there are incentives to find and replace it. In 2007 it was estimated that the UK government will spend over £1 million on insulation and asbestos removal to replace accused asbestos as the only tangible benefit.

The asbestos removal problem is thought to be complex and difficult to control as it is largely caused by the ignorance of the public. It is not as yet identified in the chemical form which might be inside buildings, but as it is caught in the fabric of living things it can be tracked to the environment and sometimes in the soil. Once it is inside buildings it can react with the chemicals in the air.

In despair Misuse of Asbestos Regulations will be introduced. The Umbral site is believed to have been introduced to highlight the asbestos removal problem as well as protect public health. It is heartbreaking to think that many people's homes and hospitals could be at risk until some provision is seen to create awareness and care through news publicity.

We look forward to the introduction of the asbestos removal safeguard legislation for Asbestos in situ, as the Government has already activated a large integrated of ensuite Contractors to become voluntarily EPC certified. Although all will of course still have their work cut out and lots of industry participation is required, are we confident as a nation facing serious effects of exposure and liability for future exposures?

The wallpaper survey which could be used to minimise the potential problem is simply to guide and advise, it won't prevent it. But the mandatory asbestos removal EPC's will certainly be a step in the right direction to greatly narrow the current problems.

The problem with the non-compliance with the EPC requirements was that in itself it created a complicating factor for a all of us these involved in the housing industry.When in 2004 it was made compulsory for all public sector tenants to have an EPC, which they would have to pay for by the way and of course they resented the cost. Many of the largest Sell and Rent back companies raised their rents in line with the market inflation, effectively increasing the amount that could be repaid. Many Sell and rent back companies are now being ordered by the Financial Services Authority to freshen up their asbestos removal operations.cardiff investigates the industry to make sure that customers and customers are being treated fairly in their home sales, with fair tax, regulation and consumer friendly rules.