
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was widely used in the construction industry throughout the 20th century due to its excellent insulation and fire-resistant properties. However, it has since been discovered that asbestos can have severe health implications if disturbed or damaged. This is why an asbestos survey is vital before any renovation or demolition activities are carried out on older properties.
Skipping an asbestos survey in older properties poses numerous risks both to individuals and property owners. One of the primary dangers is exposure to harmful asbestos fibres. When materials containing asbestos are disturbed, they release microscopic fibres into the air which can be unknowingly inhaled by people in close proximity. Long-term exposure to these fibres can lead to serious lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
get the full details here risk of developing these conditions increases with repeated exposure making construction workers particularly vulnerable if they unknowingly work on contaminated sites without proper protection. However, even occupants of a building could be at risk if asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are present and deteriorating.
In addition to health risks, skipping an asbestos survey could also result in financial and legal consequences for property owners. Depending on local regulations, owners may be held responsible for any harm caused by undetected asbestos on their property. This may include paying for medical treatments of affected individuals or facing lawsuits from those exposed.
Furthermore, remediation costs for removing and disposing of ACMs properly after they’ve been disturbed can be significantly higher than conducting an initial survey and safely managing them beforehand. Not only this but discovering the presence of asbestos during a renovation project could lead to delays while specialist contractors are brought in for removal – potentially causing significant disruption.
Moreover, many insurance companies will not cover claims related to undetected or mismanaged ACMs due to negligence from skipping necessary surveys – leaving property owners further out-of-pocket should issues arise down the line.
Finally yet importantly is the potential devaluation of a property. If asbestos is found post-purchase, it could affect the property’s value negatively as potential buyers may be deterred by the presence of ACMs or the cost associated with their removal.
In conclusion, while an asbestos survey might seem like an unnecessary expense for some property owners, skipping this crucial step could lead to severe health risks and substantial financial consequences. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with older properties and potential asbestos exposure. Therefore, investing in a professional asbestos survey should always be considered as part of responsible property ownership and management.