There is currently no comprehensive ban on asbestos worldwide. Individual countries, mainly in Northern Europe, first introduced asbestos bans in the 1980s. The mining, processing and use of products containing asbestos continues to be a serious problem for human health and the environment.
Asbestos
Types of asbestos – properties and use
Many older buildings often still contain harmful asbestos fibers in the building materials. Soil and air can also be contaminated with these harmful fibers. The term asbestos covers various types of asbestos, which can differ in terms of their properties and previous use.
Asbestos production declining worldwide
According to statistics from the Minerals Yearbooks of the United States Geological Survey from 1980 to 2022 , the proportion of asbestos production by country has changed significantly worldwide in recent decades. While significant quantities were still being mined in 22 countries around 1980, there are only four main producers in 2022.
Asbestos wave – asbestos in old buildings
The Industriegewerkschaft Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt (IG BAU) warns of a new danger from asbestos in buildings. With the imminent major renovation wave for modernization, conversions and energy saving, an“asbestos wave” threatens to hit the construction industry in the coming decades. Construction workers and DIY enthusiasts will be exposed to major health risks if they inhale the asbestos fibers that are released.
Harmful asbestos in serpentinite rock
Serpentinite, a dark greenish natural stone with characteristic spots and whitish bands, is mainly used as a decorative stone. Serpentinite is still used today for flooring, cladding and other decorative products. However, serpentinite can release harmful asbestos fibers under certain conditions. These dangers exist above all when serpentinite is worked or broken .
Old night storage heaters – often contaminated with asbestos – PCB – chromate
Depending on the year of construction and model type, night storage heaters can still be heavily contaminated with asbestos and other harmful pollutants such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and chromate (chromium VI). In order to measure possible asbestos contamination indoors, GSA measuring devices offers suitable measuring devices such as the SG12 for asbestos measurement.
Asbestos – Building in existing buildings
In October 2021, the brochure “Branchenlösung Asbestos beim Bauen im Bestand – Handlungshilfe für Tätigkeiten an asbesthaltigen Putz, Spachtelmassen und Fliesenklebern” was published by BG BAU (Berufsgenossenschaft der Bauwirtschaft). It is intended to provide companies and employees involved in building work with asbestos with important practical guidance on protective measures.
Measure indoor air pollutants according to VDI 3492 with SG12 and sampling head
VDI 3492 – VDI guideline for the determination of indoor air pollutants
VDI 3492 is one of numerous VDI guidelines drawn up by the VDI (Association of German Engineers). They contain trend-setting rules and recommendations for the state of the art and for science. They are relevant for daily practice.
Measure pollutants in the house
In general, the term pollutants refers to substances that have a harmful effect on health and/or the environment.
The pollutants can be solids, gases/fumes or liquids and are usually present as mixtures of substances.
The hazard potential depends on the type of substance and the duration and frequency of exposure.
Asbestos measurement often necessary
Asbestos measurement for suspected asbestos fibers
If there is a suspected risk from asbestos fibers, fibre measurements must be carried out. Such fibre measurements for asbestos fibres can be carried out using our SG12 measuring devices for asbestos measurement.