Increasing Asbestos Awareness And Reducing Exposure Risk With Notifiable Non-Licensable Work

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that there are still some four million properties around the UK, which are likely to contain hidden asbestos materials, and often encountered in a friable ( fragile and disintegrating) condition. Any attempt to remove can result in fibres becoming airborne and inhaled by anyone in close proximity, from home owner or tenant, company employee to public visitors, as well as building and demolition workers.

It is frequently reported that still far too many firms seem to possess little or no asbestos awareness or training to correctly deal with the potential health risks. To minimise time and costs, the health and safety procedures are often simply ignored when existing building materials found to contain asbestos (ACMs) are dismantled and disposed of alongside standard building waste.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which came into force on the 6th April, updates previous asbestos regulations by implementing EU Directive 2009/148/EC, and targets changes at around three quarters of a million workers in companies involved with non-licensable asbestos work. From now on, the "Non-Licensable" category of asbestos work will be divided into two with an additional category, to be known as "Notifiable Non-Licensable Work" (NNLW).

According to the HSE, " All non-licensed work is required to be carried out with the appropriate controls in place. Employers will also have an obligation for notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW)", which means they must:

Notify work with asbestos to the relevant enforcing authority.Ensure medical examinations are carried out.Maintain registers of work (health records).

The process involves specifying whether a type of asbestos work is either licensable, NNLW or non-licensed work in each case. To do this, a risk assessment must be carried out first to identify the type of asbestos-containing material (ACM) and an evaluation of its condition.

If the work is exempt from the need for a licence, it must be then determined if it is notifiable non-licensed work or just non-licensed work. The HSE advise that the key factors to consider are based on the type of work planned, whether maintenance, removal, encapsulation, or air monitoring and the collection and analysis of asbestos samples.

Identifying asbestos type is crucial. Although the most toxic forms were banned from use in 1985, white chrysotile asbestos fibres continued to be incorporated into a variety of building materials, including insulation wallboard (AIB), cement roofing, surface coatings and sprayed insulation, tiles and soffits, infill and adhesive tapes, etc. An import ban on chrysotile in 1999 was followed by a full ban in 2005. However, it must be assumed that any property built or renovated at any time until the end of the twentieth century has to be suspected of containing asbestos material.

Asbestos found in a fragile, friable condition is particularly prone to release fibres and is liable to be designated NNLW while work which disturbs the least friable materials e.g. asbestos cement can normally be treated as non-licensed work. Encapsulated asbestos, such as cement, paint or plastic, which are considered to be firmly bonded in a matrix, are more likely to be found in good condition and can usually be treated as non-licensed work.

The ever present risk is the disturbance and breathing in of asbestos fibres. Once ingested they embed in the lung linings and can eventually cause asbestosis disease or form the deadly incurable tumours of mesothelioma cancer.

A long gestation period of between 15 to 50 years is known to elapse before the first asbestosis symptoms appear, by which time, the disease may have spread to adjacent tissues or organs. A patient's survival rate after a conformed diagnosis can be less than 6 months.

Under the requirements of the NNLW, the HSE requires " brief written records should be kept of non-licensed work, which has to be notified, e.g. copy of the notification with a list of workers present on-site, plus the level of likely exposure of those workers to asbestos".

By April 2015, each and every worker who is exposed to asbestos must be under medical "surveillance" every three years. The employer must maintain a register for each worker, which records the type and duration of work carried out with asbestos and is to be retained for at least 40 years along with copies of all medical reports.

The HSE state that " Workers who are already under health surveillance for licensed work need not have another medical examination for non-licensed work but medicals for notifiable non-licensed work are not acceptable for those doing licensed work".

With more than 1.8 million people annually exposed each year to asbestos and at least 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed annually, the new Regulations are an attempt to reduce disregard for health and safety on property renovations when there is still a potential hazard from exposure to asbestos.

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Facts About Asbestos Exposure Symptoms

Asbestos is a material that has been mined and used for many years. It was used mainly in the construction industry. This is until ailments related to this element became evident. The first case was as far back as 1964. The microscopic fibers that make up this element are inhaled from the air as dust. This eventually accumulates in the lungs resulting in the asbestos exposure symptoms.

Being exposed to this element affects the lungs. As such a number of ailments are the result of this. Typically such ailments include asbestosis lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the condition with a high prevalence. All these result from continued inhalation of the dust that contains the microscopic fibers. These fibers are lodged in the lungs where their deposits continue to grow. This will later affect the lung anatomy and eventually affect their proper functioning.

Most of the people affected by such material are those working at industries or mines. Continued contact with this element generally leads to risks and ailment associated to this element. Sometimes such people carry the microscopic fibers on their clothes or bodies to their families where the family members eventually develop side effects from secondary contact.

Being exposed to this element can cause lung inflammation that leads to coughing and shortness of breath. This is typical of the asbestosis ailment. Mesothelioma an extra ordinary cancer of the abdomen chest cavity and lung lining is also linked to this vulnerability. These ailments are directly linked to the continuous inhalation of the dust.

Generally the vulnerabilities associated with this substance depend on several factors. The amount of the element that one is exposed to is one of them. The length of time a person has been in contact with the element is another factor. The structure of the fiber as a part of the element and other prevailing ailments like lung cancer also determines the vulnerability.

The longer the fibers remain in the lungs the more profound their effect on the health of the person. Generally full blown indications have been experienced after fifteen years or more of regular contact with the element. This makes the asbestos exposure symptoms exceptional.

Up to thirty people in every one million annually suffer from one of the commonly associated conditions. Additionally mesothelioma has affected over ten million people by 1978. Generally the dormant periods vary between twenty five and fifty years. After treatment close to thirty percent attain a lifespan of five years.

Need to find out more about mesothelioma compensation? Visit Andrew Reikes-Tessier's site and learn about asbestos exposure symptoms, treatments, and compensation.

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What You Need To Know About Asbestos Poisoning

Asbestos poisoning is considered at cause for a wide range of ailments, specifically several cancers of the lung. People who has been poisoned in this manner may be entitled to legal compensation for the illnesses from which they suffer, is they can prove that prolonged exposure to asbestos is responsible for their health conditions. in this article we'll discuss asbestos, how it poisons people, and what is being done to stop the spread of disease.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that occurs naturally. It is still mined in many parts of the world, including Canada. Before the medical community noted the responsibility of asbestos in causing various health problems, this mineral was used widely in the building industry for fire-proofing and insulation. It was also utilized in the automotive industry in the manufacture of brake pads and other tiles.

When asbestos is left intact, it does not cause any health problem. When it is disturbed, however, people in the vicinity can unknowingly breath in the mineral fibers. This disturbance may be caused by pulling asbestos insulation out of a ceiling, or stripping it from water pipes in a basement of an old house. It is this exposure that has been linked to various health problems.

The most serious consequence of exposure to this mineral is cancer of the lungs, but the cancerous cells may also appear in other body parts. Patients may develop lung conditions such as asbestosis, pleural plaque, or mesothelioma while also experiencing skin lesions due to mineral particles which may be lodged in the epidermis.

The major issue with asbestos poisoning is that it can take several years before its symptoms appear. This makes it difficult to determine when and how a person was exposed. It is straightforward for an asbestos miner to claim that the exposure was occupational, but it more complex for people who work on old buildings to identify where their exposure occurred.

Regardless of where and how people were exposed, the afflictions that result require serious medical treatment. because of the contentious nature of asbestos related disease., most patients who are diagnosed with conditions related to this mineral find themselves dealing with lawyers almost immediately. If you should go this route, choose experienced legal representation.

The construction industry has put asbestos abatement programs in place to remove the mineral from old buildings and vehicles. Medical science continues to take steps to reduce and eliminate infections related to asbestos. Countless law firms are pursuing litigation against companies that exposed people to the mineral.

At present this is as much as we can do to eliminate the asbestos threat, keep society safe from further asbestos poisoning, and care for those that are suffering from illness related to exposure.

Need to find out more about mesothelioma compensation? Visit Andrew Reikes-Tessier's site and learn about asbestos poisoning, treatments, and compensation.

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What You Need To Know About Asbestos Poisoning

Asbestos poisoning is considered at cause for a wide range of ailments, specifically several cancers of the lung. People who has been poisoned in this manner may be entitled to legal compensation for the illnesses from which they suffer, is they can prove that prolonged exposure to asbestos is responsible for their health conditions. in this article we'll discuss asbestos, how it poisons people, and what is being done to stop the spread of disease.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that occurs naturally. It is still mined in many parts of the world, including Canada. Before the medical community noted the responsibility of asbestos in causing various health problems, this mineral was used widely in the building industry for fire-proofing and insulation. It was also utilized in the automotive industry in the manufacture of brake pads and other tiles.

When asbestos is left intact, it does not cause any health problem. When it is disturbed, however, people in the vicinity can unknowingly breath in the mineral fibers. This disturbance may be caused by pulling asbestos insulation out of a ceiling, or stripping it from water pipes in a basement of an old house. It is this exposure that has been linked to various health problems.

The most serious consequence of exposure to this mineral is cancer of the lungs, but the cancerous cells may also appear in other body parts. Patients may develop lung conditions such as asbestosis, pleural plaque, or mesothelioma while also experiencing skin lesions due to mineral particles which may be lodged in the epidermis.

The major issue with asbestos poisoning is that it can take several years before its symptoms appear. This makes it difficult to determine when and how a person was exposed. It is straightforward for an asbestos miner to claim that the exposure was occupational, but it more complex for people who work on old buildings to identify where their exposure occurred.

Regardless of where and how people were exposed, the afflictions that result require serious medical treatment. because of the contentious nature of asbestos related disease., most patients who are diagnosed with conditions related to this mineral find themselves dealing with lawyers almost immediately. If you should go this route, choose experienced legal representation.

The construction industry has put asbestos abatement programs in place to remove the mineral from old buildings and vehicles. Medical science continues to take steps to reduce and eliminate infections related to asbestos. Countless law firms are pursuing litigation against companies that exposed people to the mineral.

At present this is as much as we can do to eliminate the asbestos threat, keep society safe from further asbestos poisoning, and care for those that are suffering from illness related to exposure.

Need to find out more about mesothelioma compensation? Visit Andrew Reikes-Tessier's site and learn about asbestos poisoning, treatments, and compensation.

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What Are The Effects of Asbestos Dust on The Lungs?

When asbestos dust is initially inhaled through either the nasal passage or the mouth, it immediately begins to get lodged within the internal tissues that surround the lungs. This trapped dust begins to cause irritation and inflammation, as it activates a process that produces several different chemicals. These chemicals are commonly known as cytokines. Cytokines induce cellular and inter-cellular changes within the lungs and the mesothelial cells. The combination of these cytokines together with the tiny particles of lodged asbestos dust, begin to cause a process that proceeds to a malignant transformation within the once healthy set of lungs.

There exists within the body various sets of genes that cause either growth promotion, or growth suppression. These genes can easily be damaged by either internal or external changes within the body. When growth promoting cells either lose their ability to promote growth, or the growth of these cells is accelerated, the growth suppression cells no longer pay attention to the bodies tumour suppression cells. This in turn causes the cells to multiply at an accelerated rate. All human body cells are designed to divide a certain number of times before they eventually die, leaving the cells that have had their growth accelerated, more likely to become cancerous.

Very few damaged cells actually become cancerous at this stage, leaving the small number of cells that have become cancerous to divide into even more cancerous cells. When cancerous cells divide, they help the cancer to spread throughout the affected lungs at an exceptionally fast rate. Asbestos related lung cancer takes many years to mutate within the bodies organs before it is usually diagnosed, which means that when a patient is eventually diagnosed with the disease, it is usually found to be in its advanced stages and in need of immediate treatment. There are various modern-day treatments that are used to treat asbestos related lung cancer.

Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery are among the more common treatments used to treat asbestos related lung cancer, as previously where they have been used, a reasonable degree of success has been achieved. Surgery is another option, although it is usually only considered as a last option in the treatment of patients with asbestos related lung cancer, and only after all other forms of treatment have either failed, or have not shown a complete success. Usually, surgery results in an exceptionally low five-year to ten-year after-op survival rate for most patients.

Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt is from the County of Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has travelled most of Europe, and he has lived in Spain on more than one occasion. Philip has also travelled much of the USA and now lives and works as a Freelance Writer and English Teacher in Mexico. He is the owner of The Oxford Quill, a small but reliable business offering a range of services such as Professional Article Writing, Proofreading, and Website Design. If you are interested in reading more about lung cancer, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/theoxfordquill/how-to-treat-lung-cancer-caused-by-melanoma

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Asbestos: What Is It and How Does It Affect You?

According to the EPA asbestos is "The name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and transmission parts."

Asbestos related lung disease occurs through airborne exposure. The greater your exposure is to asbestos containing materials the greater your chances are of becoming afflicted with an asbestos related illness. Other documented health risks, such as smoking, also increases these chances.

There are times when your chances of exposure are at their greatest. When a building is being demolished or remodeled, such as a business or home, asbestos fiber particles can be disturbed and allowed to circulate freely through the air and be deposited on any surface within the area. This is only a possibility if asbestos containing materials were used in the construction of your home or business. If asbestos containing materials were used and demolition or remodeling disturbs the particles they can be inhaled by the people and animals in the area. Once the particles are inhaled they can become embedded in the lung tissue and over time cause many health issues such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestosis is a very serious and progressive non-cancer illness that can have long-term consequences. Inhaled asbestos fibers can irritate the lining of the lungs and cause permanent scarring which makes it extremely difficult for the lungs to function properly in the exchange of carbon dioxide with oxygen. Sadly, there is no treatment for persons suffering from asbestosis.

Lung cancer is another disease that can be causes by exposure to asbestos particles and is responsible for the largest number of deaths due to asbestos particle exposure. Those most at risk for lung cancer are people who were employed in the mining, processing, and manufacturing of asbestos containing products. People who experienced this type of exposure or used asbestos containing products in the course of their employment are more at risk to develop lung cancer when compared to the population in general.

Mesothelioma is an asbestos related rare type of cancer that can affect the abdomen, chest, heart, and lungs. It can take many years to develop and progress to point where it can be diagnosed. Currently there is no cure for Mesothelioma and people who are affected by it can face many years of medical appointments, treatments, and related therapies.

It is in your best interest to get your home or business inspected for asbestos before beginning a demolition or remodeling project. It is better to prevent exposure than to have to deal with the aftermath of it. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos, asbestos containing products, or an area that may have contained asbestos where demolition or remodeling was being performed you should contact a doctor or medical professional who deals specifically with asbestos exposure and related illnesses. You should also contact an experienced attorney skilled in cases involving asbestos related illness who can best represent you. Any illness caused by asbestos is serious and requires immediate attention. Finding an attorney with the required expertise and compassion to represent your concerns and needs is the best way to help you get the compensation you deserve.

The Minnesota personal injury lawyers and attorneys of Sieben Polk in Minneapolis MN have successfully represented over 50,000 personal injury cases such as asbestos related illnesses including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

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Asbestos in Your Home: The Hidden Killer

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a set of six minerals that is commonly used in various building purposes. Fibrous and naturally occurring, this material has been used for around 4,000 years now, with people using them then for different infrastructures, unknowing about the dangers that the material exposes them to. Since the boom in mining of asbestos during the 19th century, asbestos has been sought after for production because:

1. It is quite affordable. Compared to other mineral sets that are used in electrical wiring production, asbestos is relatively cheaper to use- all the more appealing to construction.
2. It has good sound absorption.
3. It is with tensile strength that is up to par. Builders require materials to have a good maximum capacity to handle tensile pressure, and asbestos presents a fair amount of tensile strength.
4. It can withstand various damages such as heat (even fire, to a degree), electrical and chemical damages

But sadly, the cons outweigh the pros of using asbestos. Disregarding the advantages stated above, and considering that even in varying durations of exposure, be it a short or a long-term kind of exposure, asbestos is extremely hazardous to your health:

• Asbestos inhalation may cause:
- Asbestosis - which is a lung condition wherein the linings of the lungs become scarred, thicken, and will eventually result in various degrees of difficulty in breathing because of fibrous tissue.
- Certain lung cancers, particularly Mesothelioma - which is a very aggressive kind of malignant cancer. It spreads not only in the linings of the lungs but also to the entire abdominal cavity. There are even subtypes of this, such as:

• Pleural - with regards to the lung space
• Peritoneal, - with regards to the abdominal cavity and
• Pericardial Mesothelioma - which affects even the heart area!

Now, bear in mind that asbestos is not only used in building different commercial infrastructures, but also in different components in your home! That's right, you can find asbestos in materials used to make:

• Cement shingles
• Wall components
• Textured paint
• Spray-on decor
• Fire-proof materials such as stove pads and gloves
• Furnace ducts
• Metal piping's and tubings
• Gaskets
• And much, much more!

The chances of having asbestos in your home increases the older your house is. Especially if your house was built during the 1930's or 50's, asbestos was most probably used even in your home's central insulation.

While new houses are least susceptible to having asbestos, still, these may be found in your very home! Have the walls, floorings, and your floor mats of your house checked. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry. Never touch suspected asbestos-containing materials in your home with your bare hands, and take care not to disturb woven in materials that may have been damaged. Trauma in different ways such as tearing, pinching or slight prodding inflicted to such might trigger the release of asbestos fibers that is very deadly to your health.

Get a professional to handle the removal of asbestos in your home. Be it major or even minor repairs or total asbestos removal, you should leave it to a trained individual to ensure that your house is asbestos-free.

Cresta is a twenty-something home improvement writer from the South East. She just had her flat checked for asbestos and bugs.

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