Products Containing Asbestos Fibers and The Dangers they Represent

6 Nov 2017

Many of us logically think that as asbestos is such a toxic substance that its use has been completely banned, but in truth the material known for its durability and heat resistance is still used in a number of products.

There are many asbestos abatement companies in existence whose main core business is asbestos identification, asbestos removal and asbestos disposal from commercial buildings created before its use was outlawed in construction. This form of asbestos is prone to extremely harmful airborne fibres when disturbed and it is this threat to life that led to it being banned at the end of the 20th century.

Asbestos is not always harmful to health in different forms, which is why it’s still used in certain products. However in the following examples, the law states that they must contain no more than 1% asbestos.

Parts For Vehicles

All types of modern day vehicles use asbestos in their internal mechanical parts and they include aeroplanes, ships and helicopters, as well as cars and trucks. This is due to the material’s extreme resistance to friction, heat and fire.

Insulation

Believe it or not, there are still some types of insulation that contain asbestos and while it may not contain any more than 1%, it is still something that needs to be approached with caution, especially if you are having work done to your home.

Fireproof Clothing

Unsurprisingly, asbestos is used in fireproof clothing because of how it stands up to extreme heat. It’s fibrous nature allows it to be woven into clothing, affording protection to its wearer. Firefighters in particular, are often glad of its fire retardant properties.

Remain Cautious

At OHSS Safety Consultants, we understand that whilst the hazard that is asbestos is a lot less prevalent than it was when still widely used in construction, it is still present in our lives and it needs to be treated with respect and with caution. If you think you may have identified some asbestos, leave it alone and call a professional.

If you would like to know more about asbestos abatement, please call us on 01 6905907 or visit our website www.ohss.ie for more details about what we do.

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