Asbestos – it was once one of the most popular materials for building properties and common household appliances. However, now it is known for causing a range of health problems, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. When asbestos is disturbed or aged the fibres are released into the air, risking inhalation and increasing the chances of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. Should you be the owner of an old property or factory, it is important that you hire someone to perform asbestos waste removal as soon as possible. By doing so, you can avoid injury, disease or worse, death. Making yourself aware of the following facts will help you better understand the importance of these services.
The Peak of Asbestos Use
During the 1930s, the amount of asbestos being used was starting to increase. Add another 10 years onto that and it became one of the top materials of choice for construction and other jobs. The popularity of using this toxic material stretched through the 1970s, until it was banned in the United Kingdom in 1979. Over the last 30 years, asbestos use has decreased dramatically; almost as dramatically as the way in which it has changed people’s lives. The fact that asbestos remains in a lot of structures is a scary thought for some, but the problem should not be avoided. By making a phone call to a company that provides asbestos waste removal in London, the issue can be dealt with before health problems arise.
Consumer Product Use
You would probably be surprised to learn about the many different consumer products that are made with asbestos. They include toasters, dishwashers, slow cookers, deep fryers and even toys. Contaminated products can cause just as much of a health scare as living in a building that has asbestos in the ceiling, roof, walls and siding. The fact that these consumer products are used so much means that the exposure rate is high, so if you’re worried that you might own these things, it will be worth calling in the experts for asbestos waste removal in London.
The Mining of Asbestos
Workers mined for asbestos over 4,000 years ago, but it was only when the 19th Century arrived that asbestos mining really took off. Steady growth for the mining industry spread through the 1800s and when the material was discovered to be useful, the importation and exportation of asbestos saw rapid growth. An Austrian doctor began documenting the effects asbestos had on health in 1897 and as a result, people began asking questions. This has gradually led to a demand for asbestos waste removal in London.
