It’s been banned for over 20 years, but we’re still living with asbestos

Asbestos is common in many older buildings

LOOK up at any old building in any town or city near you and it’s highly likely it will contain asbestos.

First used more than 4,000 years ago, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used by early settlers in Finland to strengthen earthenware and cooking utensils. It came to Britain from Canada in the 1860s and its use became widespread in the 1900s thanks to its fire-retardant, insulating qualities.

It was quickly picked up as a cheap material and used extensively – in factories, hospitals, schools and even private homes.

While you might be shocked to learn that its risk to health was recognised as early as 1899, it wasn’t until 100 years later in 1999 that its use was banned in new buildings in the UK, meaning that many older, even iconic buildings still contain asbestos to this day.

Despite the dangers, which are now well-documented, asbestos remains a popular product in many developing countries. In 2020, Russia was the world’s leading producer – mining an estimated 790,000 tonnes.

What sorts of buildings contain asbestos?

Since joining Acorn Analytical Services two months ago, Commercial Director, Sam Savage has found himself on the road visiting buildings of all kinds including car parks, disused cinemas, factories, large office buildings and even a department store.

Among them, one of the most iconic buildings in London – the former Daily Telegraph offices at Peterborough House, which was built in 1928 from distinctive Portland stone.

Any building which was built before 1999 could contain potentially harmful asbestos – the only way to know for sure is by carrying out a full survey.

How harmful is it?

Asbestos can lie dormant inside buildings for decades without causing any harm – but it must be effectively managed.

If you are a landlord or facilities manager, you have a duty to ensure you comply fully with the law. You must ensure any asbestos in your building is managed properly so it doesn’t become a risk to health.

If it is disturbed – either by accident, or as a result of building work – it can be a serious threat, leading to mesothelioma in people who are exposed to the fibres.

If you’re not sure, it’s always best to check and as one of the leading asbestos management consultancies in the country, Acorn Analytical Services is perfectly placed to give you the very best advice possible.

How can Acorn Analytical Services help me?

With offices in Birmingham, Cleckheaton, Northampton and London and a team of experts across the UK, Acorn Analytical Services is here to help.

As well as management surveys, we can offer a whole suite of services including asbestos removal management and air testing and full construction, design and management (CDM) support if you are a contractor working on a building site.

We have lots of resources too, including a book and a podcast, for anybody interested in learning more about asbestos and how to navigate the very complex rules around its management.

We also work hard to raise awareness of the dangers and have joined to together with leading charities, Mesothelioma UK and ActionMeso to ensure everyone is asbestos aware.

We want everyone to think carefully about their surroundings and if you suspect that asbestos could be present in your building, make sure you take action right away.

Acorn is a professional asbestos consultancy helping organisations deal with compliance using surveysair testing, and removal management. 

Please call one of the team, or use the online form to obtain your free quotation. If you would like further information or advice on asbestos and training, contact the team on 0844 818 0895 or Contact Us

Ian Stone

I am based out of our Northampton office but regularly travel to meet with new and existing clients. I have assisted thousands of clients over the years on varying-sized projects, several have been schemes totalling over one million pounds spent purely on asbestos. Together with Neil Munro, I host our weekly podcast – Asbestos Knowledge Empire and I am Co-author of Asbestos The Dark Arts and Fear and Loathing of Health and Safety.

Need Help? Request a Call Back

Request a call back from one of our expert Asbestos Consultants who will help you identify what you need

More Asbestos Articles

You need to think carefully about asbestos

Asbestos: Think carefully before signing on the dotted line

A BUILDER who lied to his customers about his asbestos industry credentials has been forced to pay back the thousands of pounds. According to the Environment Agency, Lee Charles used false paperwork to convince customers he was legitimate and had the qualifications necessary to remove asbestos and store it safely. In reality, Charles had no … Read more

Asbestos surveyor

Unveiling the Hidden Dangers: How Hiring a Professional Asbestos Surveyor Could Save Your Business and Property

Could your business be at risk from an invisible threat, hidden within the very structure of your buildings? Understanding the importance of a professional asbestos surveyor could be key to preserving your business operations and the integrity of your properties. Uncovering the hidden dangers of asbestos can protect your employees’ health, save significant costs in … Read more

inexperienced asbestos consultants (Medium)

The Rise of Inexperienced Asbestos Consultants: A Growing Concern

The asbestos industry is facing an alarming issue with the rise of inexperienced asbestos consultants. These individuals, lacking proper accreditation and expertise, are entering the market with only basic P402 qualifications. In this article, we aim to highlight the potential risks and consequences associated with this concerning trend. Understanding P402 Qualification The BOHS P402 qualification, … Read more

The Houses of Parliament are 'riddled' with asbestos

Asbestos: Living with the legacy of the past

THERE is so much asbestos in the Houses of Parliament it would take 300 people two-and-a-half years to remove it completely. That’s the view of members of the Public Accounts Committee who fear that the Parliament buildings are at risk of crumbling unless swift action is taken. In older buildings, asbestos is a common problem … Read more

Mesothelioma - celebrating the work of nurses

Mesothelioma: Celebrating the work of Mesothelioma UK’s nurses

IF you’re a regular reader of our blog, you’ll know that mesothelioma – the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres – is a cause close to all our hearts. Over the years, we’ve worked closely with Mesothelioma UK, the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people living with mesothelioma and their families, … Read more

Let your career in the asbestos industry grow with Acorn

Let your career in the asbestos industry grow with Acorn

GIVING young people the opportunities they need to build successful careers in asbestos and health and safety is a big part of the work we do here at Acorn Analytical Services. Having all started off as apprentices and learnt our trade over many years, we pride ourselves on providing the right environment where the next … Read more

Here for you on Safety and Health at Work Day and every day

Here for you on Safety and Health at Work Day – and every day

ASBESTOS is one of the biggest health and safety hazards in the UK contributing to 2,700 deaths from mesothelioma every year. To mark Safety and Health at Work Day we wanted to highlight the range of services Acorn Analytical Services provides to help protect yourself and those around you from his hidden killer. We’ll also … Read more

Asbestos is dominating the headlines once again

Asbestos – silent killer dominating national headlines once again

ASBESTOS has once again dominated the headlines this weekend with The Sunday Times focussing on the stories of real people who have been affected by this hidden killer. Research shows there could be as much as six million tonnes of asbestos contained within 1.5 million buildings in the UK – including 90% of hospitals and … Read more

Construction workers are at a much greater risk of being exposed to the dangers of asbestos

‘Asbestos awareness is crucial for everyone involved in the construction industry’

IF you work in the construction industry chances are you will come into contact with asbestos – perhaps without even realising it. With hundreds of thousands of buildings in the UK still believed to contain this highly dangerous material, even something as simple as drilling a hole could leave you vulnerable to exposure, and at … Read more

Mesothelioma can affect anyone of any age

Raising awareness of mesothelioma – a deadly cancer which kills 2,500 people every year

AS Global Asbestos Awareness Week draws to a close, we felt it was important to shine a light on the work of Mesothlioma UK, a charity which is close to all our hearts. For many years, Acorn Analytical Services has been very proud to support the work of this amazing charity which supports people living … Read more