Protect yourself in the community

The “Armley tragedy” is a classic story of the risk asbestos presents to a ommunity. This case involved a large number of people who lived in this suburb of Leeds, close to a factory which produced asbestos. Many of the people affected did not work, and have never worked,with asbestos. However, they played in the streets around the factory as children and were exposed to asbestos dust in the immediate vicinity.
As a result, many of those children, now adults, have developed asbestos-related diseases (specifically mesothelioma), even though the factory stopped operating as long ago as 1958.Many old buildings still contain asbestos and,as it deteriorates, asbestos dust may be released into the atmosphere. High levels of asbestos dust, for example, have been found in old schools and hospitals. Demolition or repair work can stir up asbestos dust and send it into the atmosphere. Fire damage can do the same. The building in which you work or live may contain asbestos.

How can you protect yourself?

1 Do not touch or interfere with the suspected
asbestos. Asbestos is most harmful when it
is disturbed or when it starts to disintegrate.
It is the dust created by interference which
causes harm. Leave it alone and seek
advice from experts

2 If you are suspicious that you are living in a
building that contains asbestos, speak to
those who control or occupy the building. If
you are not satisfied with their response,
contact the Health and Safety Executive, the
Environmental Health Department or your
local authority housing department for their
advice.

3 The demolition or repair of buildings
containing asbestos is strictly controlled by
law. However, these controls are not always
observed and work may be carried out on
buildings which are not known to contain
asbestos. If you are concerned that
asbestos dust is being created by any such
work or you are concerned about controls
or precautions taken in such work, contact
the Health and Safety Executive or
Environmental Health Department
immediately. They will be able to investigate
and reassure you