AsbestosProfile of a killer

Surprising facts about Asbestos

It’s been around for almost 5000 years.

Earliest use was about 2,500 B.C. where fibres were mixed with clay to create stronger ceramic utensils and pots.

The Greeks, Romans and Persians all used asbestos as many believed it was a form of ‘magic’.

The asbestos industry formally began in 1858, when the Johns Company in New York began mining it for use as industrial insulation...

...and it’s still mined today in Russia, China, Brazil and Kazakhstan.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, strong, heat resistant and chemically inert making it popular for a range of products.

Such as....

...even toothpaste!

However, we now know just how harmful it is.

It is the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

The British Lung Foundation (BLF) estimate more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the UK.

And one person dies from the disease every 5 hours!

91,000 deaths are predicted to occur in the UK by 2050 as a direct result of exposure to asbestos.

So what should we do?

Get more advice and training

http://www.rospa.com/occupationalsafety/training/asbestos.aspx