Before we dive into the specifics of asbestos removal, let's make sure we're on the same page when it comes to what asbestos is and why it's dangerous.

Asbestos is a set of naturally occurring minerals that contain long, thin fibers that are strong, flexible, and resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals. Due to these properties, asbestos has been used in a wide range of products, construction materials, and industrial applications since the late 19th century.

However, it was discovered that exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can cause or contribute to numerous respiratory illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. As a result, the use of asbestos has been sharply restricted or banned altogether in many countries, including the UK, since the 1980s.

Despite these restrictions, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) still exist in many buildings, especially those constructed before the 1990s. Common ACMs include:

• Asbestos insulation and pipe lagging
• Asbestos cement sheets and panels
• Asbestos ceiling tiles and textured coatings
• Asbestos floor tiles and adhesives
• Asbestos textile and millboard products
• Asbestos gaskets, jointing compounds, and conveyor belts

It's challenging to identify asbestos-containing materials visually, so it's best to hire a professional asbestos company like Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire to inspect your property and test any suspect materials in a UKAS-accredited laboratory.