Don’t become an asbestos-related death statistic

scientist-2141259_1920

Anyone who follows our activities at Acorn will know that we are dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers posed by asbestosis.

We regularly release informative podcasts, blogs and have produced a number one best-selling book called Asbestos The Dark Arts to show businesses and individuals why it is so important to manage their asbestos effectively.

If anyone is in any doubt as to why we invest so much effort into educating people I’d point them towards the HSE’s recently released 2020 asbestos-related disease statistics for Great Britain.

Sadly, 20 years on from asbestos being banned in the UK, the report makes for sombre reading as, according to the HSE, there are still more than 5,000 asbestos-related deaths a year.

The report states in 2018 there were 2,446 deaths from mesothelioma – a cancer that develops in the lining covering the outer surface of some of the body’s organs which is usually linked to asbestos exposure. There were a similar number of lung cancer deaths linked to past exposures to asbestos and 503 deaths were connected to asbestosis – a lung disease that develops due to inhalation of asbestos.

Whilst there are treatments to manage mesothelioma and asbestosis there is no known cure for either disease. Mesothelioma cases are often rapidly fatal following the onset of symptoms while asbestosis may progress over time to seriously affect normal daily activity and lead to complications which can be fatal.

Widespread use of asbestos products in the past – particularly in the post-Second World War building industry – has led to a large increase in asbestos-related disease in Great Britain over the last few decades.

Annual deaths have increased steeply over the last 50 years, largely as a result of asbestos exposure prior to 1980, and are expected to continue at current levels for the rest of the decade.

You may wonder why this is something we need to worry about today, two decades on from the UK’s ban on the use of asbestos. Although we haven’t used asbestos in new buildings since 1999 the material remains within the structure of older buildings up and down the length and breadth of the country. Experts believe as many as 1.5 million UK properties still contain asbestos, including workplaces, schools, hospitals, other public buildings and homes. This is why we often refer to asbestos as the ‘hidden killer’.

If you own a building older than 20 years old you have a legal responsibility to ensure any asbestos is effectively monitored and managed to ensure the safety of anyone who may come into contact with it. The condition of the material needs to be regularly assessed and the whereabouts of asbestos should be at the forefront of your mind ahead of any construction, restoration or refurbishment project.

Failure to effectively manage asbestos not only puts lives at risk it can lead to fines of hundreds of thousands of pounds and even prison terms.

We appreciate how frightening this can be for many businesses which is why we have produced the Acorn Asbestos Antidote to take the asbestos headache away from our clients. By following our comprehensive guide businesses can stop worrying about all the regulations and red tape that comes with managing asbestos.

The step-by-step guide takes our clients from non-compliance with the law through to full compliance so they don’t need to fear anyone getting hurt or visits from the Health and Safety Inspector.

The best part about it is that the majority of the work to ensure compliance is done by us so our clients can go back to doing what they do best safe in the knowledge that asbestos no longer poses them a danger.

To find out more about the Acorn Asbestos Antidote and to order the Official Guidebook visit www.acorn-as.com/acorn-asbestos-antidote or call 0844 818 0895.

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

This Men's Health Month is time to talk about absestos

Men’s Health Month – it’s time to talk openly about asbestos

NOVEMBER marks Men’s Health Month – a time for shining the spotlight on the conditions and issues which affect men from all walks of life. While the focus quite rightly turns to serious health issues including Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer and mental health, at Acorn Analytical Services we want people to start talking about asbestos. … Read more

Asbestos consultancy Acorn Analytical Services will soon be moving into new offices

Have you heard the news? Asbestos consultancy Acorn Analytical Services Northampton is on the move

IF you haven’t heard the news already, we are delighted to announce that asbestos connsultancy Acorn Analytical Services Northampton will be starting a brand-new chapter very soon. In the coming days, our team will be moving to new – much larger – offices on Northampton’s Moulton Park, the place which has been our home for … Read more

asbestos in talcum powder

Unveiling the Hidden Danger: The Menace of Asbestos in Talcum Powder and the UK’s Stance

Explore the veiled danger of asbestos in talcum powder, the UK’s vigilant regulations, and the unfolding narrative of consumer safety. Dive into the rigorous testing methodologies, industry responses, and the promising horizon of international cooperation aiming to foster a safer landscape in the realm of personal care products.

RAAC and asbestos could be a problem in some buildings

Raac and ruin? How concrete crisis also raises the question of asbestos

A LOT has been said recently about Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and asbestos. While fears about the safety of RAAC continue to dominate the headlines both nationally and locally, it is the additional threat from asbestos which we believe should be discussed now as a matter of urgency. Just as RAAC is crumbling in … Read more

Asbestos consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services, will be raising money for Mesothelioma UK

Asbestos consultancy gears up for 24-hour fundraising challenge

FOR many years the team at Acorn Analytical Services has been an avid supporter of Mesothelioma UK, the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people affected by this deadly disease. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres and shockingly still kills around 5,000 people each year in the UK – … Read more

RAAC and asbestos could be a problem in some buildings

The Ultimate Guide to Asbestos Surveyors: Why Your Safety Depends on It

Asbestos, once a ‘miracle material’, now poses severe health risks. Uncover the significance of asbestos surveys in the UK and why your safety depends on it.

Asbestos: Having the right consultancy in your corner has never been more important

‘Having the right consultancy to help you manage asbestos has never been more important’

A REPORT written by asbestos expert and director of Acorn Analytical Services, Ian Stone, has highlighted the worrying state of asbestos in the UK. The Annual Asbestos Industry Review provides a unique insight into the industry and a snapshot of the work being done by Acorn Analytical Services – one of the largest independent consultancies … Read more

Management of asbestos in schools

Management of Asbestos in Schools: A Comprehensive Analysis

In this blog post, we delve into the critical issue of asbestos management in UK schools, the recent HSE report, and the role of Acorn Analytical Services in ensuring safe learning environments.

Asbestos: Dispelling 3 common myths

Is your business fully compliant with the latest asbestos regulations?

HOW much do you really know about asbestos? If your building was built before 1999, have you ever had it checked? If you know it’s there, do you know for sure that you’re compliant with the latest rules and regulations around asbestos management? If the answer to either of these questions is ‘no’ it’s time … Read more

Asbestos in fire

Act Now: Uncover the Silent Perils of Asbestos in Fire-Damaged Buildings – A Deep Dive into the Brighton Hotel Incident

Asbestos in fire situations poses significant health risks. Understand the dangers, especially in textured coatings, and the need for expert remediation.