As an organization responsible for managing the presence of asbestos on your premises, it’s crucial to minimize the risk of anyone coming into contact with this highly dangerous substance. One of the most concerning aspects of asbestos is its ability to become easily airborne when disturbed, remaining suspended for a significant period.
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The Duration of Airborne Asbestos
It is estimated that disturbed asbestos can stay in the air for approximately 48 to 72 hours before settling. However, even the slightest breeze can cause the released asbestos fibers to become airborne again, posing severe health risks.
How Much Asbestos Exposure is Considered Harmful?
There is no such thing as a “safe” level of asbestos exposure. Asbestos, a material banned in the UK, is highly toxic to human health. Therefore, the emphasis should always be on safe management when asbestos is present on your site. Even minimal exposure can increase the risk of developing serious diseases later in life.
Can Asbestos Fibers Be Seen or Smelled?
Individual asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and cannot be detected by smell. These lethal fibers are ten times smaller than a human hair, making them visible only under a microscope. This characteristic further highlights the perils of asbestos.
Types of Asbestos Fibers and Associated Risks
Asbestos can be classified into six types, divided into two mineral families: serpentine and amphibole. Although no type of asbestos can be considered safe, some pose greater health hazards than others. Here’s a summary of the six types and the risks they present:
- Chrysotile: The most common type of asbestos used in products such as brake pads, gaskets, and insulation. Exposure to chrysotile asbestos poses a high risk of mesothelioma, a cancer with a low survival rate.
- Actinolite: A rare type of asbestos that was not widely used. Contact with actinolite asbestos can lead to mesothelioma.
- Amosite: Also known as ‘brown asbestos,’ it was commonly used in cement sheets and plumbing insulation. Amosite asbestos is associated with a higher risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
- Anthophyllite: A rarer form of asbestos that was never sold commercially. Although the risk of mesothelioma is lower compared to other types, there is still a considerable risk.
- Crocidolite: Known as ‘blue asbestos,’ it is the most dangerous type. Inhaling crocidolite fibers significantly increases the risk of asbestos-related cancer, with a substantial number of miners developing mesothelioma.
- Tremolite: Widely used in roofing and plumbing materials due to its strength and heat resistance. Exposure to tremolite asbestos raises the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
How Far Can Asbestos Fibers Travel in the Air?
Asbestos can remain airborne for several days, making it challenging to determine the exact distance the fibers can travel. Environmental factors, such as human interference or wind, can disturb the released fibers, affecting their dispersal. This underscores the importance of taking the management of asbestos seriously.
What to Do if Asbestos is Disturbed
If you discover materials that you suspect contain asbestos, it is crucial to immediately cease any work and place warning signs to prevent others from entering the affected area. Report the suspected asbestos to the responsible party so that the material can be analyzed. In the event of actual disturbance, emergency procedures should be implemented, including notifying potentially affected individuals, cleaning up dust and debris, and ensuring the immediate evacuation of individuals without protective equipment.
How is Asbestos in the Air Monitored?
If you are concerned about the presence of asbestos in the air on your site, Oracle Solutions offers comprehensive asbestos air testing services. Our highly trained analysts will visit the affected areas and utilize specialized equipment to collect air samples for microscopic analysis. This enables us to determine the asbestos concentration at your location promptly.
Depending on your site’s nature and the required work, our team can collect air samples within hours and provide test results within a few business days, ensuring a quick assessment of the asbestos risk on your property.
For more information on our services and to request a competitive quote from our asbestos consultants, please contact the 5 WS team today.
