Asbestos is a natural substance that was used extensively throughout man’s history, with evidence of asbestos made pots dating back some 3,000 years ago. Asbestos was widely used during the Industrial Revolution until in the 1930s, a doctor found a firm connection with fibrosis and less than a decade later, tests carried out on asbestos workers in a factory clearly showed many cases of asbestosis, and asbestos was also linked to lung cancer.
Asbestos Regulations in the UK
In 1969, new regulations were imposed that strictly controlled the use of asbestos in all industries, and up until this time, asbestos was used extensively in the construction industry. If you are renovating an old building and think you may have uncovered asbestos, call in emergency asbestos removal services in Tonbridge who can safely remove the material.
Diseases Caused By Exposure to Asbestos
The diseases asbestos can cause include the following:
- Asbestosis
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
Asbestos was used in the manufacture of plasterboard type sheets, which were used to partition rooms, and was popular because of the fire resistant properties, and to this day, there are still many properties that contain asbestos.
Such is the extent of asbestos still in use today that an entire industry has been created to deal with safely removing this harmful substance, and should you encounter asbestos while renovating your home, do not try to remove it, as this could cause the harmful fibres to become airborne. Call in an expert company who can safely remove the substance, thus avoiding the risk of contamination.