How dangerous is asbestos?

When you think of hazardous materials, chances are asbestos comes to mind. Asbestos is a mineral often used in construction in the past because of its insulating and fire-resistant properties. Today, however, we know that exposure to asbestos poses serious health risks, such as cancer and lung disease. In this article, we take a closer look at the question: how dangerous is asbestos?

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers are strong and hard-wearing and have naturally insulating properties. For this reason, asbestos used to be widely used in construction. It was incorporated into ceiling tiles, cladding, roofing and insulation materials, among others.

Also read: What is asbestos?

Why was asbestos widely used in the past?

Asbestos used to be widely used because of its insulating and fire-resistant properties. It was cheap, strong and hard-wearing and offered protection against fire and heat. The material was therefore popular in construction and was widely used in homes, buildings and industrial plants.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems. The fibers can lodge in the lungs and eventually lead to various cancers and lung diseases, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The fibers are also difficult to break down and therefore remain in the body for a long time.

How does exposure to asbestos occur?

Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of ways, both occupational and non-occupational.

Occupational exposure

Occupational exposure to asbestos is particularly common among people who work or have worked in construction, plant engineering, shipping and asbestos removal. These people have often worked with asbestos for long periods of time and intensively and therefore have an increased risk of health problems.

Non-occupational exposure

Non-occupational exposure to asbestos can occur, for example, through the inhalation of fibers released during the remodeling or demolition of a house or building that contains asbestos.

How many asbestos fibers are dangerous?

There is no safe lower limit of exposure to asbestos fibers. Even a single fiber can cause health problems over time. Therefore, it is important to avoid any exposure to asbestos as much as possible.

Also read: How can you recognize asbestos?

Health risks from asbestos

Asbestos fibers can cause several health problems over time, including:

• Lung Cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis

In addition to lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, asbestos exposure can also lead to other health problems, such as cancer of the lungs, larynx, colon and ovarian cancer.

When should you remove asbestos?

Under current Dutch law, having asbestos removed by a certified company is mandatory before any renovation or demolition work is done on a pre-1994 building.

Should I have asbestos removed by a certified asbestos removal company?

As a company, you should have asbestos remediation performed by a certified company with a process certificate asbestos remediation. We are certified and can therefore help you with the remediation of asbestos in your building or object.

Want to learn more about having asbestos remediated and how we work? Then check out our page: Asbestos removal for businesses or property owners.

We can also help you with soil remediation and demolition work.

Prefer to speak to an advisor directly? Then contact us with no obligation.

You can call us at +31 (0) 85 201 87 26 or email info@dcc-eu.com.