Last Updated on 12th April 2022 by Dan

Many home decorating enthusiasts are still ignoring asbestos risk

Studies suggest that many home decorating enthusiasts are still ignoring the risk of exposure to asbestos when carrying out DIY jobs at home.

This is because many people are still unaware of the dangers when it comes to asbestos and the risk they take when carrying out simple DIY.

They will drill into a wall without even thinking about it, not realising they could be putting themselves at risk of asbestos exposure.

If your home was built before the year 2000 and you are planning on doing any DIY jobs such as drilling into walls, then it is essential that you have an asbestos survey carried out on your home.

Alternatively, if you suspect your home has asbestos containing materials, you can arrange for a sample to be tested for the presence of asbestos.

But the results of any asbestos testing and/or survey must be received before you proceed with any kind of home renovation or DIY.

Researchers have recently discovered that almost half of homeowners and DIY enthusiasts are not concerned about the health risk associated with asbestos.

Although it’s true that asbestos is safe if left alone,  it becomes dangerous when disturbed, which people fail to realise.

Recent research found that 45 per cent of people interviewed would have no hesitation in drilling into a wall, despite the risk of asbestos.

Another 49 per cent would be happy to remove tiles, do plastering or wallpapering.

Of those people who took part in the research, only six per cent had actually had an asbestos survey carried out on their home.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to many health issues

The inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to many different health problems.

Mesothelioma cancer is the biggest killer and has no cure.

It is responsible for approximately 2500 per year in the UK

The symptoms can take decades to materialise following exposure to asbestos, and once diagnosed the patient has a very short life expectancy.

Very few patients live beyond two years following diagnosis.

And yet there are still many people completely unaware of the risk concerning asbestos.

People need to be educated and be made aware of the risk to health associated with asbestos, especially with more and more people taking up DIY.

Don’t take any risk with asbestos!

It’s essential that you don’t take any risks whatsoever when it comes to asbestos.  

If in any doubt, consult an asbestos specialist and arrange to have an asbestos survey or asbestos testing done on your home.

At Armco Asbestos Surveys we can help you with this.  Give us a call for advice at any time and we’ll be happy to help.  Tel 0161 763 3727.

If you want to find out more about asbestos in the home and how to dispose of it, please visit https://www.gov.uk/asbestos-in-home

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Duty holders and employers have a legal responsibility to manage asbestos in their building so as not to put employees at risk. Contact our Armco office for asbestos management and refurbishment/ demolition surveys on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Alternatively, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/for more information or to book a training course.

Published Mar 07, 2021