What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral rock made up of strong fibres that have

• fire,
• heat, and
• chemical

resistant properties. They do not conduct electricity. The consequence of these properties is that they are widely used

Asbestos Testing - Asbestos Sampling and Asbestos Surveys.

. You suspect there is asbestos in your property or a property you need to occupy, What are you options:-

• Asbestos air testing - K2 Enviornmental are accredited to do this work. We are able to respond at short notice to any requests.
• Asbestos Sampling and Analysis - Either bring us a sample or the preferred option we gather a sample.The asbestos samplet is analysed to determine, does it contain asbestos fiber?
• Asbestos Risk Assessment - Asbestos Survey. This is where the property is assessed to determine does it contain asbestos. What is the condition of the asbestos. Is there likely health effects from the asbestos. Is futher asbestos air testing required?
• Clearance test - this is done once asbestos has been removed. A quality control check to ensure there is no airborne asbestos present. Asbestos air tests are performed to determine if there is any airborne asbestos present.

How is Asbestos Air Testing Performed?

Asbestos air test or Asbestos air sampling involves gathering a sample of the air.

The air is drawn through specailly prepared sample filters. This process typically takes at least four hours and can take up to 12 hours. The filters are then analysed. After the asbestos analysis a result of fibers by air volume is caluculated. This is then compared against standards to determine if a health risk exisits.

What if Asbestos is found in the Workplace?

Stop work-immediately - advise others. Call us to action , if you suspect you have an Asbetos problem. 0274 33 7872 24 hours a day. .

Asbestos can be in forms that are safe and pose little health risk. Any Asbestos present should have been advised prior to commencement of work.

If no previous notification has been given then a sample needs to be analysed by a specialist laboratory to confirm its composition. K2 Environmental can assist you in this process.

Health Risk

Asbestos is a health risk if it becomes airborne.

Fibers of small size (4 µm or less) when inhaled reach deep into the lungs. These fibers can cause diseases that can develop over a long period of time. The lack of immediate health effects is a danger. Fibers 4 µm or less are referred to as respirable.

The fibers of asbestos can become small enough to enter the Alveoli of the lungs. The bodies defenses try to dissolve them with enzymes (acid). Asbestos is however acid resistant. The fibers are too long to be engulfed by the Macrophage (white blood cell).

The enzyme will leak into the lung causing fibrosis (scarring) of the lung, resulting in a slow painful death for which there is no current cure.

Health conditions caused by asbestos exposure include asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and other various cancers or pulmonary conditions. Anyone who suspects they were exposed to asbestos must inform their doctor and seek regular medical exams to test for signs of asbestos-related disease.

Different forms of Asbestos different risks

If asbestos fibers are in a stable material such as bonded in asbestos-cement sheeting in good condition they pose little health risk. When bonded asbestos sheeting is broken, damaged or mishandled fibers can become loose and airborne posing a risk to health. Disturbing or removing it unsafely can create a hazard.

In materials such as pipe lagging and sprayed roof insulation asbestos fibres are not bound in a matrix. High concentrations of fibers are much more likely to be released into the atmosphere when these materials are disturbed or removed

Example of Exposure to Asbestos

Individuals involved in the rescue, recovery, and clean up at the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City are another group at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

Because asbestos was used in the construction of the North Tower of the WTC, when the building was attacked, hundreds of tons of asbestos were released into the atmosphere. Those at greatest risk include fire fighters, police officers, paramedics, construction workers, and volunteers who worked in the rubble at Ground Zero

Types of Asbestos

• Chrysotile-white asbestos-most often used,
• Crocidolite-blue asbestos-thought to be the most dangerous
• Amosite –brown or grey asbestos.

Where can Asbestos be found?

Asbestos can be found in the following products:-

• Profile sheets, Cement Sheets, Millboard and Paper
• Floor tiles –backing of vinyl, asphalt, rubber floor tiles, adhesives-for installing tiles.
• Water pipes, steam pipes, boilers, furnace ducts – insulation material,
• Textured paint
• Sound proofing and decorative material – sprayed on walls and ceilings.
• Imitation brick cladding
• Door Gaskets-furnaces, woodstoves, coal stoves.
• Plaster patching compounds-walls and ceilings.
• Roofing material, shingles and sidings.
• Gutters
• Artificial ashes and embers
• Fireproof gloves, stove top pads, ironing board covers, and certain hair dryers.
• Automobile brake pads, linings, Clutch facings and gaskets.