Asbestos containing materials was widely used in the past until a total ban in 1999 through new UK wide asbestos regulations. It is known to resist high temperatures and remain intact for long periods of time; making it ideal for use as insulation in places where there may be potential fires.

Is exposure to asbestos dangerous?

It's a good question; the answer is complex. Let's start at the beginning.

Exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs that leads to breathing difficulties. The risk of developing these conditions is directly related to how much asbestos you were exposed to.

How much asbestos is dangerous? It depends on how long and how often you were exposed. People who worked with asbestos all day long for years, such as asbestos miners and factory workers, are at the highest risk. In these cases, any amount of exposure puts you at high risk for getting an asbestos-related disease later in life. But even short-term exposure can increase your chances of developing an illness later.

The longer you're exposed to asbestos, the greater your risk of developing cancer or asbestosis later in life. And even a small amount of exposure carries some risk."

Inhalation of asbestos fibers leads to a variety of lung problems, including asbestosis, pleural disease and most importantly, mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and abdominal organs.

To help control asbestos through health and safety regulations asbestos surveys are carried out by professional asbestos surveyors to check for any signs of damage or deterioration, these are called management survey, refurbishment survey and demolition survey.

Find out more about where asbestos can be found

Spray asbestos was used to heatproof, soundproof, and protect against fire and condensation on steel beams, connecting parts, and stays. It was mixed with different types of asbestos. Spray asbestos is very friable and can release fibres if not sealed.

The use of thermal insulation was for boilers, lag pipes and pressure vessels. It could be applied in pipe sections or as a compound. There are many types and amounts of asbestos that can be used..

Loose asbestos was used to fill in the gaps between floors and loft insulation, as well as protection from fire for pipe and loft insulation..