Asbestos - The Dangers

Breathing in air containing asbestos dust can lead to asbestos-related diseases.  These are mainly cancers of the chest and lungs. 

Asbestos-related diseases are currently killing an estimated 3000 people a year in Great Britain.  This number is expected to go on rising into the next century.  There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases.

There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease.  This can vary between 15-60 years.  The vast majority of people now dying were exposed to asbestos durig the 1950's and 1960's when thuse of asbestos was widespread.  But exposure is still occurring.  Only by preventing these exposures now, will asbestos-related disease eventually be eradicated.

There are three main types of asbestos commonly called 'blue' (crocidolite), 'brown' (amosite) and 'white' (chrysotile).  All are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos are known to be more hazardous than white.  They cannot be identified by thir colour alone.