Oxford Method Research Programme

The Effects of Asbestos on the Human Body

Asbestos is a problem to human health. To substantiate the reason for this manual to identify the Oxford Method buildings where its was used, the following passages taken from two publications should be studied.

What does asbestos do?

Breathing in asbestos fibres can eventually lead to a number of diseases. These include:

• Asbestosis or fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs;
• Lung cancer; and
• Mesothelioma, a cancer of the inner lining of the chest wall or abdominal cavity.

There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases.

It is possible that repeated low-level exposures may lead to asbestos-related diseases, although high exposure for long periods is linked more clearly to these illnesses.
      Many of those suffering today from asbestos-related diseases worked in the building trades. They were carpenters, joiners, shopfitters, plumbers, electricians, gas service engineers etc. They were exposed to asbestos fibres in their day-to-day work with asbestos materials or because work with asbestos was carried out near them.

What are the risks from asbestos?

Asbestos-related diseases are currently responsible for about 3000 deaths a year in Britain. There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of the disease. This can vary between 15 and 50 years. The vast majority of those now dying were exposed to asbestos during the 1950s and 1960s, before the current regulations were introduced.
      Work with asbestos can release small fibres into the air. Breathing in these fibres can cause fatal diseases.
     But provided the asbestos material is intact and in a position where it cannot be easily damaged, it will not pose a risk to health by releasing fibres into the air.

How does asbestos get into the body?

Although the body will get rid of most of the larger fibres that can enter the nose and mouth, tiny fibres can pass into the lower parts of the lung. They can stay there for years and in some cases work their way through the lung lining. The body naturally gets rid of any asbestos fibres that you might take in with food and water. Asbestos fibres cannot be absorbed through your skin.
Published by the Health & Safety Executive 04/99

In more detail the following explains the risks and diseases from asbestos.

The risk to health arises when asbestos is damaged or if the material is drilled, sawn, scrubbed or sanded. Asbestos can be released in hot air heating systems and during the 'vibration' of structural wall and ceiling insulation panels. When disturbed, tiny fibres are released into the air. They are easily breathed in and penetrate deep into the lungs, damaging the delicate cells.

How does asbestos affect health?

There are three main conditions associated with exposure to asbestos. These are nearly always industrial diseases.
      Asbestosis: this is scarring (fibrosis) of the delicate lung tissues, usually a disease contracted by full time workers with asbestos, produced by fairly lengthy (up to 10 years) exposure to high levels of airborne dust. Some workers are still likely to develop asbestosis from past industrial exposure, tighter controls now in force should substantially lessen the risk.
     Lung cancer: people who get asbestosis may also develop bronchial cancer, although lung cancer is not necessarily preceded by asbestosis. Smoking substantially increases the risk.
     Mesothelioma: this form of cancer affects the membranous linings of the chest and abdomen and can take between 15 and 60 years to develop to the point where the disease can be diagnosed. It is usually associated with exposure to blue asbestos. Cases have developed where exposure has been only very brief, or where the quantity of airborne asbestos was very small. In a number of cases mesothelioma has developed without any known exposure to asbestos, possibly because it is so difficult to trace back to past exposure. It is currently estimated that up to one in 100 of men now in their 50s will die of mesothelioma.

Published by NSCA April 2001

Research and publications are continuing on the use of asbestos.

The Health and Safety Commission is proposing to amend the Regulation to include a new duty to manage the risk from asbestos in premises. This will require employers to identify the location and condition of asbestos, presume that material is asbestos if there is no strong evidence to prove otherwise, undertake a risk assessment, and prepare and implement a plan to manage these risks. Revised regulations are likely to be made in 2002.

The following information is available for those Authorities who wish to know more.

Further information

Health and Safety Executive Information Centre: Tel: 0541 545500
Asbestos Removal Contractors Association: Tel: 01283 531126
Asbestos Control and Abatement Division (Thermal Insulation Contractors Association): Tel: 01235 466704
The Asbestos Hazards Handbook, London Hazards Centre, 1995, ISBN 094897413: Tel: 0171 267 3387

Published by NSCA
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