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Asbestos Management in Higher Education
Introduction
Asbestos is a generic term given to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have a crystallised to form fibres. It is divided into two sub-groups, serpentine (white asbestos) and amphiboles (blue and brown asbestos). Asbestos fibres do not dissolve in water or evaporate, they are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation, and are mechanically strong. Due to these properties asbestos was commonly used in the past as insulation and fireproofing in buildings. Asbestos was used in many buildings until it was prohibited in 1999. However, while asbestos continues to be safely removed, much of this material is still in place. This means that people working in buildings built before year 2000 could still be exposed to asbestos fibres if asbestos is not managed effectively and is damaged or disturbed. It is unlikely buildings constructed after 2000 contain asbestos.
However, asbestos poses significant health risks. When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases. Asbestos is the greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Around 5,000 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases. These diseases do not have an immediate effect, they often take prolonged periods of time to develop, but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything.
Asbestos is not hazardous if it is in good condition and it is not being, or likely to be, disturbed. However, if it is disturbed or damaged it could become hazardous through the release of fibres into the air. Disturbing asbestos that is not in a sound condition, for example flaking or crumbling surface, or drilling, cutting, sawing, or breaking asbestos-containing materials can release respirable fibres.
Some asbestos-containing materials are more vulnerable to damage and more likely to release fibres than others. In general, materials that contain a high percentage of asbestos are more easily damaged. Sprayed coatings, lagging and insulating board are more likely to contain blue or brown asbestos.
The health risks associated with asbestos exposure include:
Mesothelioma – A cancer which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.
Asbestos-related lung cancer – Asbestos-related lung cancer is the same as lung cancer caused by smoking and other causes.
Asbestosis – A serious scarring condition of the lungs that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath, and in severe cases can be fatal.
Pleural thickening – The lining of the lung (pleura) thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed, and can cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest.
It is important to note that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer. Even minimal exposure to asbestos fibres can be dangerous. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid exposure to asbestos to prevent these health risks. These risks can be managed if institutions have robust policies, plans and procedures in place and are supported with competent people in dutyholder positions.
This guidance document explores asbestos management arrangement required in Higher Education Institutions to ensure adequate control measures are in place to prevent exposures to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
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