Asbestos can cause serious diseases that are responsible for around 4,000 deaths a year. Since it can take many years for symptoms of asbestos related conditions to develop, contact with the substance may not affect you straightaway. Sadly, once diagnosed, it is often too late for anything to be done.
It can be hard to recognise asbestos if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Some types of asbestos were even used right up to the late 1990s in places you might not expect; from floor tiles to toilet cisterns. There is a common misconception that it was banned years ago and was only found in heavy industries. Not true!
Has anyone come across asbestos around their house? What did you do and has it had an effect on your lung health since?
We’d love to hear from anyone with any experiences of finding it in the home, or if you are living with an asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
If you want to find out a bit more about asbestos visit: take5stayalive.com
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I moved into my current home in1989. there was a large square asbestos kind of pad on the wall behind the cooker. When my (then) husband and I eventually renovated the kitchen he removed it from the wall,we broke it into small pieces and put it into bin bags for the bin. I then proceeded to brush up the dust from the floor. ooops.
Of course we didn't really know the dangers of what we were doing then.
I don't know if it has anything to do with my lung problems as I am still underdoing investigations. Perhaps I should have mentioned this to my respiratory consultant. Hopefully, though, if it has caused a problem it will show up when I have the VATS lung biopsy. (I really hope it's got nothing to do with what's wrong with me!)
One place it can be well-tucked away is in ceilings.
In the event of fire then it gets very dangerous. They say in the open air the particles are dispersed, I have my doubts about that.
All very interesting comments, thank you! Yes TJohn, asbestos can be found all over the house in insulation boards, pipe insulation, water tanks, textured decrorative coating like artex and roofing like you said, especially in garages.
It's always worth mentioning these things to the doctor Annexx, just in case. Keep us updated!
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