Asbestos is a mineral once widely used in construction that can cause respiratory illness. An asbestos survey by a professional identifies if asbestos is present, where it is located, and its condition. A survey includes material assessment, priority assessment, and disturbance/maintenance assessment. If found, only professionals should remove asbestos to avoid health risks from airborne fibers.

1. Asbestos Surveys
An informational presentation on
asbestos surveys from:
PTL Occupational Hygiene
Consultants

2. What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring
silicate minerals used commercially for
their desirable physical properties.
Asbestos became increasingly popular
among manufacturers and builders in the
late 19th century because of its sound
absorption, average tensile strength, its
resistance to fire, heat, electrical and
chemical damage, and affordability. It was
used in such applications as electrical
insulation for hotplate wiring and in
building insulation.When asbestos is used
for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers
are often mixed with cement (resulting in
fiber cement) or woven into fabric or mats.
Wiki

3. So what’s so bad about it?
Asbestos is proven to cause health
complications, most commonly
respiratory complaints and is often fatal.
In fact, asbestos is the biggest single
industrial killer we know in the UK
today.
Once the tiny fibres enter your lungs,
less oxygen enters the blood, the lining
of the lungs become scarred and the
chance of developing lung cancer
increases greatly.

4. So where is it?
Asbestos was once a very common
building material due to its flame
retardant properties until the EU
outlawed it.
Any building older than you probably has
asbestos in either the walls, roof/ceilings
or all of the above.
The majority of asbestos won’t pose a
threat to any occupants so long as it isn’t
airborne.

5. How can I check for it?
WellYOU shouldn’t check, leave it to the
professionals.
Asbestos surveys are carried out by
professional laboratories who will
monitor the content of your air and see
if it’s dangerous to you and others.
If it is, it can be removed, again by
professionals.
Asbestos is not something to be taken
lightly.

6. What does an Asbestos
Survey include?
Asbestos surveys consist of:
•Material Assessment:
•Priority Assessment:
•Disturbance & Maintenance
Assessment:
These come with a lot of subcategories.
For more information, visit:
http://www.ptlhygiene.co.uk/asbestos-
surveys/

7. Need More Information?
If you need more information on asbestos surveys, get in touch with us
with the methods below:
PTL Occupational Hygiene
Consultants Ltd
1 Church Walk
Stapleford
Nottingham
NG9 8DE
Tel: 0115 939 7581
Fax: 0115 939 2686
www.ptlhygiene.co.uk