Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of many small fibres.

There are 3 main types: Blue (crocidolite), Brown (amosite) and White (chrysotile). The blue and brown types are known to be more hazardous than white, however all asbestos can be harmful if dust containing the fibres is breathed in. The asbestos fibres are long and thin and if inhaled become lodged in the tissue of your chest. In general the more asbestos dust is inhaled, the greater the risk to health.

Asbestos has been widely used about the home in building materials and consumer goods. It was particularly used to resist heat and for fire protection.

Asbestos in good condition in houses is not in itself dangerous but breathing asbestos dust is dangerous and it can cause a number of diseases, including cancer, often many years after the first exposure to asbestos. So asbestos should always be handled carefully.

It is not possible to recognise asbestos by sight alone. The only way to be sure if it is asbestos and if so what type, is to have it examined by a qualified person.