You should never attempt to remove asbestos yourself. Once asbestos has been damaged, asbestos fibres are released into the air, which can be inhaled.

If asbestos is disturbed and airborne fibres are produced, a significant health risk is created. The risk is present for both you and those around you, as well as for those you come into contact with after the disturbance.

Asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye, so determining whether asbestos is airborne is difficult.

You must not touch something that you believe to be Asbestos if you come across it. Instead, keep it isolated and call a professional for a survey. Here is information on the types of surveys and the prices. Asbestos should be handled and disposed of properly by an expert who has received specialized training, is insured, and has received specialized training.

Asbestos removal poses a serious risk to both you and those around you. It is possible for people who are near disturbed asbestos to inhale asbestos fibers and contract diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural thickening. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can be found here.

Managing asbestos within a property is a legal requirement for commercial property owners and anyone acting as the Duty Holder under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR2012). Removal of asbestos entails a wide range of legal requirements which must be followed to the letter to avoid prosecution by the HSE and serious health risks to workers and visitors.

The legal requirements for home owners are less restrictive. When considering asbestos removal within your own home, it is essential to assess the material type, your knowledge of asbestos removal, and how the asbestos will be decontaminated and disposed of. You still have a number of legal duties in the home which include ensuring yourself and others remain safe and no contamination occurs and disposal of Asbestos to the current regulations.