Asbestos Removal Service in London – 3 Facts About Asbestos

So, asbestos – most of us have heard about it, but what do you really know about the once-popular building material? If there is one thing you should know it’s that it is a very dangerous substance that despite being banned in the UK over 30 years ago, is still present in a lot of buildings. The strength and flexibility of asbestos means that it might well have been chosen for the construction of your home. With asbestos removal in London, samples can be taken and hazardous materials removed. If you’re not quite sure why this service would benefit you, learn some facts about this natural product, which is still mined to this day.

Asbestos Has Been Used for Thousands of Years

For more than 5,000 years, asbestos has been used to construct and thermulate buildings, as well as to provide fire protection. Now that more people know about the dangers asbestos poses to somebody who works or lives in a contaminated space, its popularity is significantly dropping. So much so, that is is now illegal to use the building material in the UK and if it already exists within a building’s structures, it should be analysed, tested and removed in the appropriate way to prevent illness, or worst-case scenario, death.

Asbestos is an Umbrella Term Used to Describe Minerals

You might think that asbestos is just the name for a particular substance that is known for being toxic when ingested. While this is true, asbestos is also a term used to describe a wide variety of minerals that are actually found naturally recurring below the earth’s surface. This is why there are so many different types of asbestos out there but don’t be fooled – they are all pretty hazardous and should be eliminated from the property with removal, reconstruction or demolition services.

Asbestos Claims One Victim Every Five Hours

These victims may not have just been exposed to asbestos once or twice but instead, they will have been exposed to it many years ago or continuously. Continuous exposure is the worst because it means that the lungs are constantly being filled with asbestos fibres that can cause symptoms of asbestosis. The more common symptoms of this illness include coughing, weight loss, lack of appetite and swelling around the neck or facial areas. See a doctor if you notice a combination of these symptoms and if you reside in a building that was built before asbestos laws were put into place.