How Dangerous Is Asbestos? Shocking Truths & Facts To Know

Last Updated on 24 February 2026

Introduction: Understanding How Dangerous Asbestos is

How dangerous is asbestos? That question has been asked for decades, and for good reason. Asbestos, once praised as a “miracle material,” is now known as a serious health hazard. Still, many people underestimate the risks because exposure doesn’t cause immediate symptoms. In fact, the danger often hides quietly for years.

Asbestos might sound like a problem from the past, something locked away in dusty history books. But here’s the uncomfortable truth – asbestos is still not only one of the biggest hidden dangers today. It’s the single biggest reason of occupational death in the UK and Globally. In fact the UK has pretty much the highest (per capita) rate on planet earth. More than 5000 people die each year in the UK from historical asbestos exposure. What’s worse is that figure is barely decreasing and we’ve been removing out of UK buildings for 50 years. That means people are still being exposed.

According to the World Health Organization, asbestos exposure causes tens of thousands of deaths every year worldwide. That figure is also potentially vastly under reported as certain countries may not specifically record the death of an individual as relating to ‘asbestos’, often it can be just listed as ‘cancer’.

In this article, we’ll break things down in plain English. We’ll explore what asbestos is, why it’s risky, who’s most exposed, and what you can actually do about it.

Understanding Asbestos: A Simple Explanation

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once praised for its durability, heat resistance, and insulating properties. For decades, it was used in everything from roofing materials to insulation and even household appliances. At first glance, it seemed like a miracle material. However, the story didn’t end well.

So, where is the danger really? The danger lies in its tiny fibres. These fibres are so small that they can float in the air and be inhaled without anyone noticing. Once they enter the body, they can stay there for years, quietly causing damage. When we use the word small it is particularly hard to visualize. Imagine a ‘pinhead’ (pretty small). You could potentially fit up to 5 million asbestos fibres on top. Therefore in reality it’s impossible to see most asbestos fibres, particularly when they are airborne.

What Asbestos Is Made Of

Microscopic asbestos fibres are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals. These same qualities that made it useful also make it harmful. The fibres split easily enough but they are difficult to break down and that’s a big problem for human lungs.

Types of Asbestos Fibres

There are six main types of asbestos, but three are the most common:-

Chrysotile (white asbestos) – Most widely used. Often found in roofs, cement sheets, and floor tiles. The fibres are soft and curly or referred to a serpentine.
Amosite (brown asbestos) – Commonly used in insulation boards and ceiling tiles. The fibres are long and straight, visually similar in shape to fibreglass
Crocidolite (blue asbestos) – The least common of the three with a similar structure to Amosite

All three should be treated as a risk if fibres are inhaled. The WHO say that ‘there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos’

 

 

Why Asbestos Was So Widely Used in The UK

Asbestos started to take off in the UK in the early 1900’s. However after the second world war with the rebuilding of property and the boom in the 1960’s it really took off. Asbestos was everywhere in the UK. Builders and manufacturers loved it and used it in insulation, roofing, ceiling tiles, pipe lagging, floor tiles – you name it.

Asbestos was the perfect solution as it was fire-resistant, cheap, effective, versatile and easy to use. As a result, It found its way into millions of buildings.

Factories, schools, hospitals and homes all became asbestos time capsules.

At the time, the risks were either underestimated, not fully understood or ignored. Unfortunately, the consequences of asbestos exposure take longer to show up. The medical evidence surrounding deaths from asbestos has been around since 1924 with the death of Nellie Kershaw but it wasn’t until many years later that society in general started to take it more seriously.

According to the World Health Organization, asbestos exposure is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year, even today.  5,000 of those deaths are here in the UK –  that’s more than road accidents.  There are around 20 tradespeople dying every week.  It’s the leading cause of work related deaths in the UK.

When Asbestos Was Banned

The UK banned blue and brown asbestos in 1985. All asbestos was then banned (including white) in November 1999. But banning asbestos didn’t make it disappear. Buildings constructed before 2000 frequently still contain it and that’s where the danger lives.

How Dangerous Is Asbestos? Health Risks Explained

Let’s get to the heart of it: how dangerous is asbestos to human health? The short answer is – very dangerous when fibres are inhaled or swallowed.

How Asbestos Affects the Human Body

When asbestos fibres enter the body, they don’t break down or dissolve. Instead, they lodge in tissues, especially the lungs. Over time, they cause inflammation, scarring and pleural plaques, This can eventually lead to cancer. The body tries to fight back, but it’s a losing battle.

What makes this especially scary and so cruel is the latency period. Symptoms may not appear for 20 to 50 years after exposure. So yes, how dangerous is asbestos becomes clear long after the damage is done.

Why Asbestos Exposure Is Often Invisible

You can’t smell asbestos. You can’t see the fibres. You won’t feel pain. That’s why it’s so dangerous – it doesn’t announce itself.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Exposure

Short-term exposure may not cause immediate symptoms, which can be misleading. Long-term exposure, on the other hand, significantly increases the risk of serious diseases. In other words, just because you feel fine now doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Fortunately now (especially in the UK) there should be very few persons who experience long term exposure.

Even low-level exposure, if repeated, can be dangerous. That’s why experts say there’s no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Common Diseases Linked to Asbestos Exposure

The health risks linked to asbestos are well-documented and severe. Understanding these conditions helps answer the question of how dangerous is asbestos in real-life terms.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibress. It leads to scarring of lung tissue, making breathing difficult. There’s no cure, only symptom management.

Lung Cancer

Asbestos exposure greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers. The combination is particularly dangerous, multiplying the risk rather than just adding to it.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. It affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart and has a poor prognosis.

Pleural Thickening

This condition restricts lung expansion and causes chest pain and breathing difficulties.

So, how dangerous is asbestos? Dangerous enough to cause irreversible, life-threatening conditions.

Where Asbestos Is Commonly Found Today

Despite bans and regulations, asbestos hasn’t disappeared. It’s still present in many commercial, domestic and public buildings

Homes and Residential Buildings

Older homes built before 2000 may contain asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, roofing, soffits, garages and textured paints. Renovation and building work can disturb these materials, releasing fibres into the air.

Workplaces and Industrial Sites

Factories, shipyards, and older office buildings are common sources of exposure. Workers in these environments face higher risks if safety protocols aren’t followed.

Schools and public buildings

Thousands of UK schools still contain asbestos. Teachers and maintenance staff face ongoing exposure risks.

 

 

Who Is Most at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

Not everyone faces the same level of risk. Some groups are far more exposed than others.

Occupational Exposure

High-risk occupations include:-

• Construction workers
• Shipyard workers
• Electricians and plumbers
• Joiners
• Firefighters
• Miners
• Homeowners and DIY Enthusiasts
• Teachers and Public Sector Workers

Many asbestos deaths in the UK involve tradespeople.

Before regulations tightened, many workers weren’t warned at all. Even today, renovation and demolition work can stir up hidden asbestos making construction work very dangerous.

Environmental and Secondary Exposure

Family members of exposed workers can also be at risk through fibres carried home on clothing. Additionally, people living near old industrial sites may face environmental exposure.

Once again, how dangerous is asbestos depends heavily on exposure frequency and duration.

How Dangerous Is Asbestos in Homes and Buildings?

Many homeowners ask: how dangerous is asbestos in my house? The answer depends on the type of asbestos product its condition and activity that may disturb it.

Older Homes and Renovation Risks

Homes built before the 2000’s often contain asbestos materials. If those materials are intact, risk is lower. However, sanding, drilling, or ripping them out can release fibres fast.

Schools, Offices, and Public Buildings

Public buildings may still contain asbestos in ceilings, pipes, or walls. Regulations usually require management plans, but aging infrastructure remains a concern.

The key takeaway? Don’t disturb suspected materials without professional advice.

Recognising and Managing Asbestos Safely

Surveying, testing and general awareness goes a long way in reducing risk when dealing with dangerous asbestos containing materials.

Testing and Inspection

If you suspect asbestos, hire a qualified Asbestos Surveyor to come and take a look. DIY testing is risky and often inaccurate. Professional labs used by Asbestos Surveyors can confirm the presence safely.

Removal vs Encapsulation

If asbestos is in good condition and undisturbed, it may be safer to leave it alone. Damaged asbestos must be dealt with immediately.

Removal: Eliminates asbestos but is costly and must be done by asbestos trained and licensed removal professionals.  Never try to remove asbestos yourself.  Professionals have the training and equipment needed to handle it safely.  While removal isn’t cheap, the cost of exposure is far higher.

Encapsulation: Seals fibres in place, reducing risk if materials are unsealed or unstable.

Both options can be safe when done correctly and minimise the risks associated with dangerous asbestos containing materials.

Legal Status of Asbestos in the UK

UK Asbestos Regulations Explained

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 governs how asbestos must be managed. Employers and property owners have legal responsibilities.

Duty to Manage Asbestos

Those responsible for buildings must identify, assess, and manage asbestos risks. Ignorance is not a defence.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply can result in hefty fines and even prison sentences.

Regulations and Global Perspective on Asbestos

Bans and Restrictions Worldwide

Over 60 countries, including the UK, have banned asbestos entirely. However, some nations such as China, India, Russia, the United States, Indonesia and Kazakhstan still mine and use it, often citing cost and durability as to why they still manufacture and/or use it.

Why Asbestos Is Still a Problem

Despite bans, asbestos remains in older buildings and products. That’s why understanding how dangerous asbestos is still matters today.

FAQs About How Dangerous Asbestos is

1. How dangerous is asbestos exposure if only exposed once?

Even a single exposure can increase health risks, especially with high fibre concentration.  However, single exposure is usually deemed low risk, but repeated exposure increases danger significantly.

2. Can you smell or see asbestos?

No. Asbestos fibres are invisible and odourless.

3. Is asbestos dangerous if untouched?

Intact materials are generally less dangerous, but should still be inspected periodically, and are still a concern if materials degrade over time.

4. How dangerous is asbestos compared to other toxins?

It’s among the most dangerous industrial toxins due to cancer risk.

5. Can asbestos be safely removed?

High-risk asbestos must be removed by licensed contractors. Cutting corners here is a massive health risk.

6. How dangerous is asbestos for children?

Very dangerous, as children have longer lifespans for diseases to develop.

7. How do I know if I’ve been exposed to asbestos?

Exposure often goes unnoticed. Medical screening is the best way to assess risk.  Early detection can sometimes improve outcomes.

8. Should I remove asbestos from my home immediately?

Not always. Professional assessment is key to deciding the safest course of action.  Only trained professionals can safely identify asbestos through surveys.

Conclusion: Why Asbestos is Highly Dangerous

So, how dangerous is asbestos? The evidence is overwhelming – it’s a serious health hazard with long-lasting consequences. The good news is that awareness, regulation, and proper management dramatically reduce risk.

By staying informed, avoiding unnecessary exposure, and seeking professional help when needed, you can protect yourself and others. As scary as asbestos sounds, knowledge really does tip the scales in your favour.

Need professional advice?

We hope that you found our latest blog article on why asbestos is so dangerous both interesting and informative.  If you need any help or advice in regards to asbestos in your property then we’ll be very happy to assist you.  Give us a call and our experts will give you some advice and guidance on whatever if is you’re concerned about.

Please contact us on 0800 141 2676, email us at info@rbasbestos.co.uk or fill in the form below.

Our professional surveyors conduct asbestos inspections and surveys every day across the UK on all types of properties, both residential and commercial, for private home owners and commercial property Managers and owners.  So when it comes to managing ACMs in your property, you’re in very safe hands with RB!!

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