Many of us have heard of asbestos at some point or another and realise that it can potentially have serious health implications if a person comes in contact with it. Although we realise that it is potentially dangerous, very few of us actually know what asbestos is and exactly why it can be dangerous.
However, although there are several benefits that come with using asbestos as a building material, the effect that it has on health is of such great proportions, that by law asbestos can no longer be used for construction in the UK.
Asbestos was banned in all UK construction in the mid 1980s as its health implications became more apparent. If asbestos fibres become airborne, they can present significant problems if inhaled, primarily respiratory issues. Asbestos can cause cancers to form on the lungs, which can be fatal. In addition, mesothelioma, pleural thickening and asbestosis can affect people that intake airborne asbestos in large quantities.
Although asbestos is banned in new constructions, there are still many buildings that contain asbestos within their structures. As such, building demolition is extremely dangerous. Asbestos can become airborne when the material in which it is used is broken or turned to dust. When the dust is airborne it could potentially be breathed in and have devastating effects on a person's health.
Asbestos can make building demolition an extremely hazardous task, as when it is disturbed, it is released into the air, putting people at risk of breathing it in. The 9/11 attacks on the twin towers resulted in the collapse of two huge skyscrapers. This released in excess of 1,000 tonnes of asbestos into the air and people in the area were caught in the dust having no choice but to breathe it in. Asbestos and other airborne toxicants are blamed for a sudden increase in respiratory illnesses experienced by emergency workers who were present at the time of the Twin Towers' collapse.
However, although there are several benefits that come with using asbestos as a building material, the effect that it has on health is of such great proportions, that by law asbestos can no longer be used for construction in the UK.
Asbestos was banned in all UK construction in the mid 1980s as its health implications became more apparent. If asbestos fibres become airborne, they can present significant problems if inhaled, primarily respiratory issues. Asbestos can cause cancers to form on the lungs, which can be fatal. In addition, mesothelioma, pleural thickening and asbestosis can affect people that intake airborne asbestos in large quantities.
Although asbestos is banned in new constructions, there are still many buildings that contain asbestos within their structures. As such, building demolition is extremely dangerous. Asbestos can become airborne when the material in which it is used is broken or turned to dust. When the dust is airborne it could potentially be breathed in and have devastating effects on a person's health.
Asbestos can make building demolition an extremely hazardous task, as when it is disturbed, it is released into the air, putting people at risk of breathing it in. The 9/11 attacks on the twin towers resulted in the collapse of two huge skyscrapers. This released in excess of 1,000 tonnes of asbestos into the air and people in the area were caught in the dust having no choice but to breathe it in. Asbestos and other airborne toxicants are blamed for a sudden increase in respiratory illnesses experienced by emergency workers who were present at the time of the Twin Towers' collapse.
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