Exposure to asbestos fibres can be a serious risk to your health, so identifying potential asbestos containing materials in your house is really important.

Our blog will guide you on how to identify asbestos in your home, the importance of professional asbestos surveys, and the safety precautions and asbestos regulations you need to follow to protect yourself and your family.

When are you likely to be exposed to asbestos?

Finding out whether you are exposed to asbestos is based on when your house was built and the materials used.

The first step is to determine if your home was built before the year 2000. This is important because asbestos use in building materials was widespread from the 1950s through the 1980s in the UK, before being banned in 1999 due to the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Many common building materials from that era (such as asbestos cement products, textured decorative coatings, vinyl floor tiles, pipe lagging, and asbestos insulation) may contain asbestos fibres. These asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can pose significant exposure risks if they are damaged or disturbed.

If you suspect asbestos may be present in your home, it is highly recommended to have a professional asbestos survey carried out by trained professionals. An asbestos survey will help identify asbestos materials safely and determine their condition, reducing the risk of fibre release and potential health issues like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Asbestos surveys and our asbestos testing kits

If you plan to have any refurbishment works carried out to your home by contractors, then you will need to have an Asbestos Refurbishment Survey carried out by a competent surveyor.

The surveyor will carry out an intrusive inspection of your home, sampling any suspect materials for asbestos. This is to ensure that any refurbishment works can be carried out safely without putting the contractors, you, or anyone nearby at risk.

The surveyor will then send the samples to the lab, and the results will be written up into a detailed report, making it clear if and where any asbestos materials have been identified.

It is important to note that any materials containing asbestos should not be disturbed and should be left in situ. This is because asbestos becomes harmful to humans once airborne, so leaving it alone is the safest thing to do. If the asbestos is exposed, it will need to be encapsulated or removed by a professional licensed contractor. Remember, do not attempt to collect asbestos samples yourself without proper training and personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE), as improper handling can increase exposure risks.

Strict asbestos regulations for homeowners

Due to its highly dangerous nature, there are a lot of safety precautions and asbestos regulations that homeowners, employers and business owners must follow when removing asbestos-containing materials. Firstly, the removal of higher-risk asbestos-containing materials should only be carried out by a licensed contractor. As it is very dangerous, carrying out the removal yourself could cause more harm than good.

As for legal regulations, the duty to manage asbestos is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

City Environmental Services' role in removing asbestos-containing materials

At CES, we provide a full range of asbestos services, including asbestos removal, surveys, training, waste management, demolition and contaminated land remediation works. If you have any concerns about exposure to asbestos in your home, you can call our head office on 01939 291 074.

For any of your asbestos-related questions or inquiries, you can contact us through our website or drop us an email at info@ces-asbestos.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find out if my home contains asbestos safely?

Identifying asbestos present in your home requires caution. If you suspect potential asbestos in materials like asbestos cement water tanks, textured coatings, or vinyl floor tiles, do not disturb them. The safest approach is to hire an asbestos expert to carry out an asbestos survey and collect asbestos samples for testing. Avoid DIY testing or handling asbestos yourself to prevent exposure risks. If you are concerned about any asbestos-containing materials in your home, please contact us immediately.

What should I do if I find asbestos-containing materials in my home?

If you discover asbestos materials in good condition, it is generally best to leave them undisturbed. However, if the materials are damaged or likely to be disturbed during renovations, you should contact a licensed asbestos professional. Handling asbestos waste requires appropriate packaging to prevent fibre release, and it must be disposed of legally through licensed disposal sites or your local authority.

Are asbestos testing kits reliable for home DIY asbestos sampling?

While asbestos testing kits may include personal protective equipment and instructions, collecting asbestos samples without appropriate training can increase exposure risks. It is recommended to rely on trained professionals who follow proper handling of asbestos procedures and send samples to an accredited laboratory using methods such as transmission electron microscopy for accurate results.

What are the health risks associated with asbestos exposure?

Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pleural thickening, such as diffuse pleural thickening. No amount of exposure is considered safe, and symptoms may take decades to appear. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions have an increased risk, so preventing possible exposure is essential for protecting human health.

What legal responsibilities do homeowners and businesses have regarding asbestos?

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, owners of commercial premises and residential properties have a duty to manage asbestos appropriately. This includes conducting risk assessments before any work, providing appropriate training to workers handling asbestos, and ensuring asbestos waste is disposed of correctly. Violations can lead to penalties enforced by environmental protection agencies and local authorities.