Unveiling the Mystery: What Is Asbestos and How Can It Affect Your Health?

Adam Fox • 9 March 2023

For years, asbestos was widely used in construction and manufacturing, and its health hazards were not recognised until much later.

As an experienced asbestos professional, I am here to provide you with information on asbestos - what it is, its dangers, and how it can affect your health. For years, asbestos was widely used in construction and manufacturing, and its health hazards were not recognized until much later. In this article, we will dive into the history of asbestos, what it is, its types, and the dangers of asbestos exposure. We will also discuss asbestos-related diseases, who is at risk of exposure, how to prevent it, and what to do if you have been exposed. Finally, we will cover asbestos removal and disposal.

Introduction to Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used for centuries. Its use became widespread during the industrial revolution due to its heat-resistant and fireproof properties. Asbestos was used in a variety of products, including insulation, roofing, flooring, and automotive parts. However, the widespread use of asbestos also led to an increase in health problems, as exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of serious diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

The History of Asbestos

Asbestos has been used for centuries, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Its use became more widespread during the industrial revolution due to its heat-resistant and fireproof properties. Asbestos was used extensively in construction and manufacturing throughout the 20th century, with peak usage occurring in the 1970s. However, the dangers of asbestos exposure were not widely recognised until much later. It wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that the first reports of asbestos-related diseases began to emerge, leading to increased regulation and awareness of the dangers of asbestos.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that consists of flexible, fibrous crystals. There are six different types of asbestos, including chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Chrysotile is the most commonly used type of asbestos and is often found in insulation, while crocidolite and amosite are often found in cement products. Tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite are less commonly used types of asbestos and are often found in other types of insulation.

Types of Asbestos

As previously mentioned, there are six different types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the most commonly used type of asbestos and accounts for approximately 95% of all asbestos used. It is often found in insulation, roofing materials, and automotive parts. Amosite and crocidolite are less commonly used types of asbestos and are often found in cement products. Tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite are the least commonly used types of asbestos and are often found in other types of insulation.

The Dangers of Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of serious diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos fibres are very small and can easily be inhaled, leading to the fibres becoming lodged in the lungs. Over time, this can cause scarring and inflammation, leading to the development of asbestos-related diseases. The risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is directly related to the level and duration of exposure to asbestos.

How Asbestos Affects Your Health

Asbestos exposure can have a variety of health effects, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure and can take years to develop. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

As previously mentioned, asbestos exposure can cause a variety of serious diseases. The most common asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure and can take years to develop. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.

How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure

The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid contact with asbestos-containing materials. If you work in an industry where asbestos is commonly used, it is important to follow all safety protocols and wear appropriate protective gear. Additionally, if you are renovating or demolishing a building that may contain asbestos-containing materials, it is important to have the building inspected by a professional before beginning work, so any asbestos containing materials can be located and assessed prior to works commencing.

What to Do if You Have Been Exposed to Asbestos

If you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to seek medical attention. Your doctor can perform tests to determine if you have any asbestos-related diseases and can recommend appropriate treatment options. Additionally, it is important to inform your employer if you have been exposed to asbestos at work, as they may be required to take corrective action to prevent further exposure

Asbestos Removal and Disposal

If you are refurbishing or demolishing a building that may contain asbestos-containing materials, it is important to have the building inspected by a professional before beginning work. If asbestos-containing materials are found, it is important to hire a professional asbestos removal company to safely remove and dispose of the materials. Asbestos-containing materials must be disposed of in accordance with the HSE’s Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to prevent exposure.

Conclusion

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used for centuries due to its heat-resistant and fireproof properties. However, exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of serious diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Anyone who works in construction, manufacturing, or other industries where asbestos is commonly used is at risk of exposure. The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid contact with asbestos-containing materials, and if you have been exposed, it is important to seek medical attention. Finally, if you are refurbishing or demolishing a building that may contain asbestos-containing materials, it is important to have the building inspected by a professional and to hire a professional asbestos removal company to safely remove and dispose of any asbestos-containing materials.

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?
by Adam Fox 13 January 2025
Compliance is no longer just about avoiding fines; it’s about creating workplaces where people can thrive.
by Adam Fox 6 December 2024
This is more than a regulatory issue—it’s a moral obligation
by Adam Fox 7 November 2024
Elevating health and safety from a compliance obligation to a strategic business focus offers immense benefits
by Adam Fox 4 September 2024
A groundbreaking solution to a long-standing problem
by Adam Fox 21 August 2024
More companies, sole traders and responsible individuals are now facing hefty fines or even custodial sentences for non-compliance
Show More