As professional asbestos and energy management experts, Cordtape Environmental are asked a broad range of questions about asbestos on a daily basis. Many of these questions provide our clients with information that can be critical to their health and are often helpful to be aware of before contacting professionals; informed citizens can make more informed choices about their health and the safety of their home.
That’s why, for your peace of mind, we have made a list of some of the most commonly asked questions posed to us about the risks of asbestos in one place.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos is dangerous because it breaks down into microscopic fibres that can be inhaled. These fibres are incredibly durable and cannot be seen, smelled, or felt. Once inhaled, they lodge organ tissues and remain there permanently, causing inflammation and scarring over time.
The key danger of asbestos arises when it is disturbed and its fibres become airborne. Unlike many workplace hazards, asbestos related diseases often take decades to develop, which means exposure today may not result in symptoms until many years later. This delayed onset makes prevention and early identification critical.
Health risks linked to asbestos exposure include:
- Mesothelioma (a cancer affecting the lung lining)
- Asbestos related lung cancer
- Asbestosis (permanent lung scarring)
- Pleural thickening (restricting breathing capacity)
How many types of asbestos are there?
There are six recognised types of asbestos, divided into two mineral families: serpentine and amphibole. Each type differs in fibre shape, durability, and historical use, but all are hazardous if disturbed. Asbestos can likewise be divided into the categories of friable and non friable; friable asbestos can be crumbled into a fine powder whereas non friable asbestos cannot.
While some types were used more commonly than others, regulations treat all asbestos containing materials (ACMs) as dangerous because they can release respirable fibres when damaged.
The six types are:
- Chrysotile (white asbestos): the most widely used
- Amosite (brown asbestos): commonly used in insulation boards
- Crocidolite (blue asbestos): extremely fine, hazardous fibres
- Actinolite: less common, sometimes present as contamination
- Anthophyllite: rare, historically used in insulation
- Tremolite: often found as a contaminant in other materials
What does asbestos look like in insulation?
Asbestos insulation can take many forms, which is why it is often difficult to identify without professional assessment. It was incorporated into products designed to look ordinary, meaning it may resemble standard construction materials. Asbestos itself is invisible to the naked eye.
You might encounter asbestos insulation as fibrous wrapping around pipes, rigid boards used in walls or ceilings, or sprayed coatings applied to structural steelwork. In lofts, it may appear similar to conventional insulation, while in plant rooms it may look like a hardened plaster like layer.
Because appearances vary so widely, visual identification alone is unreliable. Materials that seem harmless can still contain asbestos fibres bound within them.
How much does asbestos removal cost?
The cost of asbestos removal varies significantly depending on the material, location, condition, and professional asbestos removal team you choose. Licensed removal is required for higher risk materials, and strict safety procedures must be followed to protect occupants and workers.
Importantly, removal is not always necessary, sometimes management in place is the safest and most cost effective option, but this can only be decided following a thorough risk assessment.
Am I safe to leave asbestos?
In many cases, asbestos is safest when left undisturbed and properly managed. Materials in good condition that are sealed or enclosed present minimal risk because fibres are not being released.
Problems arise when refurbishment, drilling, cutting, or deterioration disturbs the material.
However, this decision must be made by asbestos experts who have conducted an in depth investigation into the site. If you suspect there may be asbestos in your building, then you should never make the decision to leave it untouched by yourself. Even a small amount of damage to asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can result in long term health issues for anyone who frequents or lives on the premises.
Asbestos can often remain in place if:
- It is in good condition
- It is not likely to be damaged
- It is properly recorded and monitored
- A management plan is in place
How do you know if you have asbestos?
You cannot confirm asbestos simply by looking at a material. Many ACMs resemble modern non asbestos products, making assumptions dangerous.
The only reliable way to confirm the presence of asbestos is through professional surveying and laboratory analysis.
Signs that asbestos may be present include:
- The building was constructed before 2000
- Original textured coatings or insulation remain
- Old ceiling tiles, boards, or pipe lagging are present
- There is no asbestos survey documentation available
Can asbestos stay airborne for long?
Yes, asbestos fibres can remain suspended in the air for extended periods, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Their extremely small size means they settle much more slowly than ordinary dust particles.
Air movement caused by people walking through a space, opening doors, or using ventilation systems can keep fibres circulating even longer. This is why areas where asbestos has been disturbed must be carefully isolated and never cleaned using conventional methods.
Proper containment is essential to prevent fibres spreading beyond the original location.
Which is the most dangerous asbestos?
While some types, particularly crocidolite, are often associated with higher disease risk, all asbestos forms are hazardous and regulated accordingly. The level of danger depends less on the mineral type and more on how easily fibres can be released into the air.
A damaged asbestos board, for example, may pose greater risk than an intact material containing a more hazardous fibre type. This is why condition and likelihood of disturbance are key considerations when assessing asbestos risk.
Risk increases when asbestos is:
- Friable (easily crumbled by hand)
- Damaged or deteriorating
- Located in high traffic areas
- Disturbed during refurbishment or maintenance
How can you tell if textured coatings contain asbestos?
Textured coatings, commonly applied to ceilings and walls before the late 1990s, frequently contained small amounts of asbestos to strengthen the material..
Textured coatings should be assessed if:
- The property predates the year 2000
- Ceilings have decorative swirl or stipple patterns
- Renovation work is planned
- Previous testing has not been carried out
What should you do if you suspect asbestos?
If you believe a material may contain asbestos, the safest approach is to leave it undisturbed and seek professional advice. Attempting to investigate or remove it yourself can increase the risk of fibre release.
A professional survey can confirm whether asbestos is present and recommend the most appropriate course of action, whether that involves management, encapsulation, or removal.
It is essential that your asbestos survey is conducted by a UKAS accredited or suitably qualified asbestos professional who adheres to HSE guidelines and industry best practices.
At Cordtape, we can assist you in locating and identifying Asbestos Containing Materials with our Asbestos Survey and Sampling service. If we do locate the presence of asbestos, our Asbestos Removal team will extract it from your premises in accordance with Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Our team is fully qualified to manage all aspects of asbestos assessment, removal, refurbishment and waste management.
With over 30 years of experience and a team of professionals, we ensure that every survey is delivered with accuracy, compliance, and safety in mind.
