The Silent Killer: How Asbestos Exposure Can Lead to Life-Threatening Diseases

Adam Fox • 5 May 2023

Asbestos exposure can lead to a variety of life-threatening diseases

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in construction materials due to its desirable properties such as heat resistance, durability, and affordability. However, it was later discovered that asbestos exposure can lead to various life-threatening diseases.


In this article, I will discuss the dangers of asbestos exposure, types of asbestos-related diseases, who is at risk of asbestos exposure, how to prevent asbestos exposure, what to do if you suspect asbestos exposure, and legal actions for asbestos-related diseases.


Understanding Asbestos and Asbestos Exposure


Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals that are made up of long, thin fibres. These fibres are strong, flexible, and resistant to heat, fire, and many chemicals. Due to these properties, asbestos was used in a wide range of products including insulation, roofing, flooring, and automotive parts.


Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibres are released into the air and inhaled or ingested. Once inside the body, these fibres can lodge in the lungs, abdominal cavity, or other parts of the body and cause damage over time.


The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure


Asbestos exposure can lead to a variety of life-threatening diseases, including pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, and mesothelioma.


Types of Asbestos-Related Diseases


1. Pleural Plaques


Pleural plaques are areas of thickened and hardened tissue that form on the lining of the lungs and chest wall. These are the most common asbestos-related condition and usually do not cause any symptoms. However, they can be a sign of asbestos exposure and may increase the risk of other asbestos-related diseases.


2. Diffuse Pleural Thickening


Diffuse pleural thickening is a condition where the lining of the lungs and chest wall become thickened and scarred. This can lead to breathing difficulties and can also increase the risk of other asbestos-related diseases.


3. Asbestosis


Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that occurs when asbestos fibres cause scarring and inflammation in the lungs. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, and fatigue. Asbestosis can also increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma.


4. Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer


Asbestos-related lung cancer is a type of lung cancer that develops as a result of asbestos exposure. It can take several decades for this cancer to develop, and it often does not cause symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage.


5. Mesothelioma


Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, and symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and treat, and it often has a poor prognosis.


Who is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?


Anyone who works in an industry that uses or produces asbestos products is at risk of asbestos exposure. This includes workers in construction, shipbuilding, automotive repair, and manufacturing. Additionally, people who live or work in buildings that contain asbestos materials may also be at risk of exposure.


How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure


The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid working with or around asbestos materials. If you suspect that your workplace or home contains asbestos, you should contact a professional asbestos removal company to test and safely remove the material.


If you work in an industry that uses asbestos, you should follow all safety guidelines and wear protective equipment such as respirators and protective clothing. You should also undergo regular medical checkups to monitor for signs of asbestos-related diseases.


What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos Exposure


If you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos, you should speak with your doctor about getting a medical evaluation. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests or lung function tests to check for signs of asbestos-related diseases.


Legal Actions for Asbestos-Related Diseases


If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the company or companies responsible for your exposure. These lawsuits can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.


Conclusion


Asbestos exposure can lead to many life-threatening diseases, including pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Anyone who works in an industry that uses or produces asbestos products is at risk of exposure. The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid working with or around asbestos materials, and if you suspect exposure, speak with your doctor about getting a medical evaluation. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.


Reduce your risk of exposure to this hidden killer by contacting Consulo Compliance today. Our team of experts can help you identify and safely manage asbestos containing materials in your workplace or home.


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by Adam Fox 9 April 2025
Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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