Think of asbestos and your mind immediately turns to the past – possibly to the years immediately after the Second World War when it was used extensively as the demand for new buildings increased.
But according to the team at leading Northamptonshire-based asbestos consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services, it’s wrong to think of asbestos as a problem which has long been consigned to the history books.
In fact, Acorn’s team of experts believe the UK is firmly in the grip of an asbestos epidemic, fuelled by ageing buildings – including many homes, offices, factories, hospitals and schools – and a lack of general awareness among members of the public.
It’s this lack of awareness that the team at Acorn fear is also contributing to an increase in the numbers of people affected by mesothelioma – the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres – particularly among men, who make up around 80% of cases.
With Men’s Health Week being held in the UK between June 12-18, Acorn Analytical Services Director, Neil Munro is determined to get this important message across.
He said:
“Asbestos is all around us – in our homes, schools, offices and hospitals – in every village, town and city in the UK. While the use of asbestos was banned in new buildings in 1999 we are now living with the consequences of the widespread use of asbestos in the past. What’s really frightening is the lack of awareness people have about the presence of the asbestos and the dangers of being exposed.
“Our message is simple – if your premises were built before 1999 and they have never been checked for the presence of asbestos, organise an asbestos survey today. Similarly, if you are planning a refurbishment or repairs, take the time to get a survey carried out. Not doing so could put yourself and those around you at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres which in turn could lead to mesothelioma.
“The UK really is sitting on a ticking timebomb and it’s important that we raise awareness and take action.”
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which, according to Mesothelioma UK, usually affects the lungs and the stomach. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, a cough, sweating, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and lethargy.
Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK each year and the vast majority of those are men. Many of them have worked in the construction industry or engineering where the risks are significantly greater.
To help raise awareness of the hidden dangers of asbestos among these groups, Acorn Analytical Services has launched bite-size training sessions to highlight the dangers and reduce the risk of accidental disturbance.
The sessions are backed by the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) and are carried out by consultants with more than 10 years’ experience in the asbestos industry.
For more information, or to book a course or an asbestos survey on your premises, visit www.acorn-as.com or call the team on 0844 818 0895.
