Asbestos remains one of the UK’s most serious hidden health hazards, and despite it being banned over 20 years ago, it’s still present in many buildings and homes, and many people are still unaware of how common it can be and how often it goes unnoticed.
Whilst asbestos is not usually harmful when intact, once disturbed and damaged, the material releases tiny fibres that can be inhaled and stay in the lungs indefinitely, and exposure can lead to illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and terminal lung cancers, these diseases typically develop over a long period, often taking 20 to 50 years to develop after the initial exposure, meaning the damage remains hidden for decades, making early identification of asbestos crucial for protecting long-term health.
Asbestos was widely used in UK construction until the late 1990s, meaning properties built prior to 2000 are likely to contain asbestos in some form. Most common locations where asbestos-containing materials may be present include:
- Ceilings, walls and partitions
- Floors, including tiles and adhesives
- Heating systems, boilers and insulation
- Roofing materials and external cladding
- Garages, sheds and outbuildings
- Water tanks and pipework
Many materials containing asbestos appear harmless, such as ceiling textures, floor tiles, cement panels or insulation, asbestos can also look like:
- Asbestos Sprayed Coatings
- Asbestos insulating board (AIB)
- Asbestos textured coatings
- Thermoplastic floor tiles
Although asbestos has been banned for decades, it remains present in many industrial and residential buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000, often unnoticed until renovation or damage exposes it. It is essential to understand where asbestos may be hiding, what it looks like and how it poses health risks, in order to keep yourself and others safe.
Since asbestos fibres are not visible and can cause life-threatening illnesses many years after exposure, awareness and early identification are critical steps in preventing harm. By recognising the common places asbestos may be found and seeking professional support, you can ensure you remain safe from potential exposure from the materials.
Asbestos is a manageable risk, but only when handled with knowledge, caution and the right expertise.
How We Can Help You
Bradley Environmental is one of the leading Asbestos Consultants in the UK offering a range of Asbestos Risk Management and Removal Services. We advise our clients on the most efficient and economically advantageous way to manage asbestos, without compromising on safety issues.
For more information on the services we provide, email us at