What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a material that was used in buildings in the past. It is an insulating material that is both heat and fire resistant. There are different types of asbestos: white, brown and blue. Although they are all harmful, blue and brown asbestos are the most strongly linked with mesotheliomas and they have not been imported into the UK since 1985. However, they are still present in some buildings and equipment produced before the ban. White asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999.

Asbestos materials which are left undisturbed are probably safe. It is asbestos dust or fibres which cause the harm when they are inhaled (breathed in) or ingested (swallowed).

Note: the majority of people who have been exposed to asbestos in the past are not likely to develop mesothelioma. However, it is not possible to identify which people exposed to asbestos are likely to develop mesothelioma in the future. As a general rule, the greater and more prolonged the exposure, the greater the risk.