Why Asbestos Management Means Fewer Mesothelioma Deaths
The current asbestos situation
Mesothelioma statistics were released by the HSE earlier this month that demonstrated that the trend of increasing deaths caused by Mesothelioma had continued.
Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause cancers, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other serious lung diseases such as asbestosis and pleural thickening.
In 2016, over 2,595 people died from Mesothelioma, and it’s believed that lung cancer caused by asbestos were responsible for the same number of deaths again.
Of those affected, there were two distinct groups of occupations. Those workers in skilled construction and building trades, and workers in skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades.
Why asbestos deaths are set to decline
However, as Mesothelioma takes a long time to develop, the statistics we are now seeing are those that result from legacy working conditions. Post World War 2 there was an exponential growth in building projects that used asbestos, as the nation remained blissfully unaware of the threat to health.
However, the good news is, as we’ve become wise to the implication of using asbestos in building materials, the UK introduced The Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, banning its use.
There is also a duty placed on all owners or property managers to manage asbestos, which not only requires the constant review of asbestos materials to ensure that fibres can’t break away into the air, but also demands that property owners or managers ensure all those carrying out work, in or around the area with asbestos, are made aware of its presence, so they can take the correct precautions.
Are you considering asbestos removal?
If you are considering removing asbestos from your property, it’s important that you arrange specialist asbestos removal to ensure that all of the health and safety guidelines are adhered to and the correct protective equipment is worn and measures taken. At Rainbow International, our asbestos removal teams are trained to carry out asbestos removal categorised as Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW), which includes the removal of chrysolite, cement, vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles, and textured coatings such as artex and bitumen.
With more than 60 branches across the UK, there’s bound to be a Rainbow branch near you that are trained and equipped to remove and dispose of asbestos professionally. You can find your nearest branch on our website, or give us a call on our 24/5 helpline 01623 422 488, 365 days of the year.