Can I still be exposed to Asbestos in 2022?

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It is not a surprise that at some point in your life you will come across asbestos, especially those who are planning to buy a property that was built dating back to the early 1930s.

On 1 August 2022 Manchester Crown Court announced that it will be closing for 2 weeks due to testing for asbestos. This was after asbestos particles was discovered in the basement of the court, which was built in the early 1960s.

Asbestos in 2022

Whilst experts predict that manual workers who have been exposed to asbestos decades ago have died, there is now emerging statistics that more people are being diagnosed asbestosis even though they have never touched or have had contact with the fibre.

Figures by the Health and Safety Executive in July 2022 show that there were 2,544 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2020. This is a 6% rise compared to statistics in 2019 where figures have remained steady the last several years. However, this does also mean that morality rate due to Asbestos exposure is at its highest.

Interestingly in Industrial Disease claims, Lawyers are beginning to come across an increase of claims where potential clients have been diagnosed with asbestos related cancer but from working in ‘white-collar’ jobs such as professionals working in schools and hospitals.

HSE statistics also show that 459 women, who were more likely than men to work in those type of workplaces, died in 2020.

This is now moving away from the threshold that it is older men who worked in traditional manual jobs are to be most at risk of asbestos exposure and bringing more attention to the view that anyone can be affected.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is one of the greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Diseases caused by exposure to Asbestos currently kill around 4500 people a year in the UK according to HSE.

Asbestos is a type of fibre that naturally occurs and was often used in the construction of buildings for effective insulation, flooring and roofing. Asbestos fibre was once considered as a necessity in construction and other industries, as the fibres were resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. However, until the late 1990s it was later found that exposure to Asbestos was highly toxic to the human body.

Naturally, the use of asbestos now in construction or refurbishment of buildings is now illegal.

What happens to me if I have been exposed to asbestos?

No amount of asbestos exposure is safe, however, the toxic effects onto the body worsens depending on the concentrated amount of exposure to asbestos and if exposure has been regular over a significant period of time.

Asbestos is fine fibre material that is airborne. Some old buildings in today’s modern society may still have asbestos however the danger lies as to whether such fibres has been ‘disturbed’ and therefore has already been released in the air.

When asbestos is inhaled fine fibres will stick onto the lungs and over time the build up of such fibres can gradually scar your lungs causing damage.

Common types of Asbestos related diseases

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Pleural Plaques

Am I at risk of developed asbestos related cancer?

It has previously been recognised that those who have worked in an industry such as construction and building particularly from the 1970s to the 1990s, may be at risk of coming into contact with Asbestos.

However, with the emergence of new claims, more and more people are being diagnosed with asbestos related diseases even though they have never worked in construction. This means, the risk extends to those even working in old buildings over prolonged times such as office environments.

NHS urgently advise that those who have worked in such industries and who have developed the following symptoms to seek medical attention.

Shortness of breath
Persistent cough
Wheezing
Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
Pain in chest or shoulder
In some rare cases, clubbed swollen fingertips.

It can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear. Therefore, if in doubt you should see a GP if you suspect you have symptoms of Asbestosis and believe that you have been exposed to asbestos.