Are holidaymakers in danger of finding asbestos on beaches?

adult-1807500_1920

We’re very lucky in the UK to have access to a wide variety of beautiful beaches but heartbreakingly sometimes these great natural resources hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. So are holidaymakers in danger of finding asbestos on beaches?

Where was asbestos on beaches found?

Earlier this week an investigation was launched in Carmarthenshire into reports that asbestos has been found on Burry Port Beach near the site of an old power station.

Carmarthenshire council has been reassuring the public that the wet conditions of the beach means the material poses very ‘little risk’ however they are asking people not to touch or move the material so that it can be properly assessed and dealt with.

Meanwhile, the local mayor has called for the beach to be cordoned off and worryingly has been quoted by the BBC as saying ‘you can pick up pieces of asbestos that are flaky and powdery,’ adding that children had been ‘seen building sandcastles with bits of asbestos’.

Sadly, it is not the first occasion that asbestos on beaches has been found in the locality. It was confirmed to be in the area in 2000 after it was identified from Carmarthen Bay Power Station records.

Even more sadly it is not the only place where asbestos on beaches has been found.

More examples of finding asbestos on beaches?

Other areas which have been hit include the popular Mount Batten beach in Plymouth which had to be completely closed twice in 2019 by the authorities after a large amount of asbestos was found on the sand.

Prestwick Beach in Ayrshire was closed at the end of July 2016 after asbestos material was discovered. On this occasion, councillors reportedly suspected it was the result of fly-tipping.

In 2013, it was reported 15 kilos of asbestos was collected from Minster beach in Kent. Warning signs were erected and the local council carried out regular checks in the area so it could remove any items safely.

Unsurprisingly, this issue is not confined to our shores. Back in April of this year, one of the most exclusive beaches in Sydney, Australia, known as Little Bay Beach, had to be closed for two weeks after asbestos fragments were discovered in the area.

Such discoveries of asbestos on beaches put locals and holiday makers at risk and can be devastating for the areas’ tourism and hospitality sectors that rely on visitors for their livelihood.

asbestos on beaches

No one wants to see such precious places spoiled or the public banned from using them. This is one of the many reasons that if you own a property or site containing asbestos you must make sure the material is either correctly disposed of or properly managed.

We don’t want asbestos on beaches polluting our watercourses and rivers and ending up on our beaches. We don’t want people panicking about what to do with their asbestos and dumping it at our beauty spots.

Aside from the significant public health danger that asbestos can cause; if you are found to have failed to manage asbestos correctly you could be prosecuted and face huge fines or a custodial sentence.

If you own a property or a site which contains asbestos and aren’t sure how to manage it safely you can contact Acorn for a free 30-minute video call so we can assess your current asbestos compliance status.

Finally, if you’re exploring our wonderful beaches this May half term holiday or during the summer holidays we hope you have lots of fun but if you do spot something that you suspect could be asbestos on beaches make sure you let the authorities know immediately so it can be dealt with safely.

By working together we can protect our environment and ensure we only find shells, footprints and happy families on our beaches.

Acorn is a professional asbestos consultancy helping organisations deal with asbestos compliance using asbestos surveysasbestos air testing, and asbestos 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 asbestos training, contact the team on 0844 818 0895 or Contact Us

Neil Munro

I work in a dual role at Acorn Analytical Services focused primarily on growing and leading the business from our Northampton office base. My focus is on overseeing all sales, marketing and financial activities from Northampton. I assist clients with high-level asbestos management strategies and training. Together with Ian Stone I host our weekly podcast – Asbestos Knowledge Empire and I'm 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

Asbestos isn't a headache with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

Asbestos isn’t a problem with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

AT Acorn Analytical Services we’re probably best known for the work we do supporting businesses with asbestos surveys and asbestos management. But did you also know that we offer a full package of health and safety services through our Acorn Compliance Antidote? The antidote is the perfect way to get all your health and safety … Read more

Asbestos consultancy celebrates the opening of new regional office

Asbestos company celebrates the opening of new regional office in Wolverhampton

EARLIER this month the team at Acorn Analytical Services was delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and the Deputy Mayoress, Lynn Plant to the opening of our new asbestos management office in Wolverhampton. It was a very proud day for regional manager, Lewis Scott and his team, and Acorn’s … Read more

Emma Gooding, one of our women in construction

Women in Construction: Highlighting the work of two incredible women at the heart of our team

HIGHLY-SKILLED, talented women in construction are right at the heart of Acorn Analytical Services’ success, taking on key roles within our business and leading the fight against the UK’s asbestos epidemic. In recent years, many more women in construction have chosen to take on roles within the asbestos industry and at Acorn we do everything … Read more

Asbestos Book

Asbestos: The Dark Arts – essential reading for anyone involved in health and safety this World Book Day

AS well as being part of one of the UK’s leading asbestos consultancies, Acorn Analytical Services’ directors Ian Stone and Neil Munro have also written best-selling books on asbestos and health and safety. The books, which include their five-star rated title Asbestos: The Dark Arts, have quickly become essential reading to anyone involved in facilities … Read more

Asbestos bitesize training sessions for you and your business

Asbestos: Free bitesize sessions from the experts at Acorn will help keep your team protected from this hidden killer

IT may have been banned from new buildings more than 20 years ago but asbestos still poses a huge threat to the health and wellbeing of our society. Thousands of buildings – including many schools – still contain asbestos which can go on to cause deadly cancer if it is damaged or disturbed releasing microscopic … Read more

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining star

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining example of how apprenticeships can be a huge success for everyone

IT’S National Apprenticeship Week and what better way to celebrate than by shining the spotlight on asbestos analyst, Jake Newell. Jake joined Acorn Analytical Services as an apprentice in 2021 and since then he has completed his training, shown outstanding commitment and dedication to his role and been recognised for his efforts by winning – … Read more

2022 - A big year in the fight against asbestos

2022: A big year for Acorn Analytical Services in the fight against a hidden killer

2022 was a big year for the team of experts at multi award-winning asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services. It was a year which saw the business grow and develop, we took on new staff and we helped support businesses, charities and organisations right across the UK by helping to manage their asbestos and raise … Read more

Asbestos awareness: Education is key

Asbestos awareness: ‘Educating the public is key’

WHEN it comes to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos, education and training are absolutely key. With so much advice out there, it can be difficult to know where to turn for information you can trust and training which is tailored to suit your individual needs. To mark national Day of Education, the team … Read more

Asbestos is a big problem on the high street

Asbestos on the high street continues to dominate the headlines

The headlines have once again been dominated this week by stories of high street premises which have been affected by asbestos. In November, Acorn Analytical Services shone a spotlight on the growing epidemic in towns and cities across the UK and urged companies and shop owners to put the safety of their staff and customers … Read more

Reducing asbestos in schools should be a clear priority

‘Reducing asbestos in schools should be our first priority’

FOR many years the team at Acorn Analytical Services has been calling for full asbestos risk assessments to be carried out in schools right across the UK. With many schools having been built during the post-war period when the use of asbestos was at its highest, we fear that many school buildings still contain the … Read more