5 Most Common Health Risks Of Asbestos

The Most Common Health Risks of Asbestos — and Why They Still Matter Today

Asbestos was once celebrated as a wonder material. Fireproof, durable, and cheap, it found its way into millions of buildings across the UK. But the most common health risks of asbestos have since revealed a devastating legacy that continues to claim lives decades after exposure. Understanding those risks is essential for anyone who lives or works in a building constructed before the year 2000.

Asbestos fibres are microscopic. You cannot see them, smell them, or taste them. Once inhaled, they lodge deep in lung tissue and can remain there for the rest of a person’s life — silently causing damage that may not surface for 20 to 40 years.

What Is Asbestos and Why Was It Used?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals made up of tiny fibrous crystals. There are six recognised types, broadly split into two families: serpentine (chrysotile, or white asbestos) and amphibole (including crocidolite and amosite, among others).

Its properties made it extraordinarily useful in construction and manufacturing. It resists heat, fire, and chemical corrosion, strengthens other materials, and was cheap and abundant. For much of the 20th century, it appeared in everything from roof sheeting and floor tiles to pipe lagging, textured coatings, and insulation boards.

The UK was one of the largest consumers of asbestos in the world. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that a full ban came into force under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, prohibiting the import, supply, and use of all asbestos types. But the material installed in buildings before that ban remains in place — and it remains a risk.

How Does Asbestos Cause Harm?

The danger lies in disturbance. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are in good condition and left undisturbed pose a relatively low risk. The problem arises when those materials are drilled, cut, sanded, broken, or deteriorate over time — releasing fibres into the air.

Once airborne, those fibres can be inhaled or ingested. The body cannot break them down. Over time, they cause inflammation, scarring, and cellular damage — laying the groundwork for serious, often fatal disease.

Several factors influence how severely a person is affected:

• The type of asbestos fibre — amphibole fibres such as crocidolite are generally considered more hazardous
• The concentration and duration of exposure
• The frequency of exposure over a working lifetime
• Whether the individual smokes — smoking dramatically increases the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer
• Individual genetic factors and pre-existing health conditions

There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Even low-level or one-off exposures carry some degree of risk, which is why the HSE and the Control of Asbestos Regulations treat asbestos management as a serious legal duty — not an optional precaution.

The 5 Most Common Health Risks of Asbestos

The diseases caused by asbestos are not minor ailments. They are serious, progressive, and in most cases incurable. Here are the five most significant health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

1. Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is the disease most closely associated with asbestos — and with good reason. It is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the thin tissue lining covering the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or, less commonly, the heart or testes.

Asbestos exposure is the only established cause of mesothelioma. Every confirmed case can be traced back to asbestos fibres. There is no cure, and by the time most patients are diagnosed, the disease is already at an advanced stage.

What makes mesothelioma particularly cruel is its latency period. Symptoms may not appear for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure. Someone who worked in construction or shipbuilding in the 1970s may only now be receiving a diagnosis. The UK continues to record some of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world — a direct consequence of the country’s heavy industrial use of asbestos throughout the 20th century.

2. Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is among the most lethal of all asbestos-related diseases in terms of total lives lost. Asbestos fibres that penetrate deep into lung tissue can trigger malignant changes in cells, leading to tumours that are often diagnosed late and carry a poor prognosis.

The risk is substantially higher for people who both smoked and were exposed to asbestos. The two factors do not simply add together — they multiply the risk. A heavy smoker with significant asbestos exposure faces a dramatically elevated chance of developing lung cancer compared to either risk factor in isolation.

Lung cancer caused by asbestos is clinically indistinguishable from lung cancer caused by smoking or other factors. This means it is often under-attributed to asbestos, and many occupational cases go unrecognised.

3. Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic, progressive lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres over a prolonged period. It is not a cancer, but it is a serious and life-limiting condition.

The fibres cause scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue, which gradually reduces the lungs’ ability to expand and transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. Symptoms include persistent breathlessness, a dry cough, chest tightness, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, even mild physical exertion becomes difficult.

There is no cure for asbestosis. Management focuses on slowing progression and relieving symptoms. Asbestosis also significantly increases the risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer — making it both a serious disease in its own right and a marker of elevated cancer risk.

Asbestosis is most commonly seen in people with heavy, prolonged occupational exposure — former laggers, shipyard workers, construction workers, and those who worked in asbestos manufacturing. However, secondary exposure (for example, washing a family member’s contaminated work clothes) has also been linked to the disease.

4. Pleural Abnormalities

The pleura is the double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs. Asbestos fibres that reach this tissue can cause a range of abnormalities, collectively referred to as pleural disease. These conditions vary in severity but can significantly impair breathing and quality of life.

The most common pleural abnormalities associated with asbestos exposure include:

• Pleural plaques — areas of fibrous thickening on the pleural surface. These are the most common indicator of past asbestos exposure and, while not cancerous themselves, confirm that significant exposure has occurred.
• Diffuse pleural thickening — more extensive scarring of the pleura that can restrict lung expansion and cause breathlessness.
• Pleural effusion — an abnormal build-up of fluid between the two layers of the pleura, which compresses the lung and causes breathing difficulties.

Pleural plaques alone are generally considered benign, but their presence is a significant red flag. Anyone diagnosed with pleural plaques should be monitored regularly for the development of more serious asbestos-related conditions.

5. Laryngeal and Other Cancers

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies asbestos as a Group 1 carcinogen — meaning there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans. Beyond mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestos exposure has been linked to cancers of the larynx, ovaries, and — with emerging evidence — the pharynx, stomach, and colorectum.

Laryngeal cancer is of particular note. When asbestos fibres are inhaled, they pass through the larynx, and the evidence linking asbestos to laryngeal cancer is well established. Workers with significant occupational exposure show elevated rates of this cancer compared to the general population.

Ovarian cancer linked to asbestos is thought to arise from fibres that travel through the body after ingestion or inhalation. While the mechanism is less well understood than for lung and pleural diseases, the association is recognised by major health authorities.

The Latency Problem — Why Asbestos Remains Relevant Today

One of the most important things to understand about asbestos-related diseases is the gap between exposure and diagnosis. Most conditions take between 15 and 50 years to develop after initial exposure. This means the consequences of asbestos use during the construction boom of the mid-20th century are still playing out in hospitals across the UK right now.

It also means that current exposures — to asbestos that remains in buildings today — will not show up in health statistics for another generation. This is precisely why the Control of Asbestos Regulations place a legal duty on those responsible for non-domestic premises to manage asbestos risk proactively, not reactively.

The HSE’s guidance document HSG264 sets out the standards for asbestos surveying in non-domestic buildings. It defines two main survey types: the management survey, which identifies ACMs that could be disturbed during normal occupation and maintenance, and the demolition survey, which is required before any intrusive refurbishment or demolition work begins.

Who Is at Risk?

Historically, the highest-risk groups were those in heavy industry — shipbuilding, construction, insulation work, and asbestos manufacturing. But the risk profile has shifted. Today, the people most likely to encounter asbestos are those who work in and around older buildings:

• Electricians, plumbers, and heating engineers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Plasterers and decorators
• Building surveyors and maintenance workers
• Demolition workers
• Teachers and school staff in older buildings
• Housing association and local authority maintenance teams

The HSE has consistently highlighted that tradespeople working in older buildings remain at significant risk of asbestos exposure if they do not know what they are working with. An asbestos survey is not merely a bureaucratic requirement — it is a practical tool for protecting lives.

Professional surveys are available locally across the UK. Whether you need an asbestos survey in London, an asbestos survey in Manchester, or an asbestos survey in Birmingham, Supernova Asbestos Surveys operates nationwide and can mobilise quickly.

What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos in Your Building

If your property was built or refurbished before 2000, there is a realistic chance it contains asbestos-containing materials. Do not attempt to investigate yourself. Disturbing suspected ACMs without proper equipment and training is dangerous and potentially illegal.

The correct course of action is straightforward:

1. Do not disturb the material. If you suspect something contains asbestos, leave it alone until it has been professionally assessed.
2. Commission a professional asbestos survey. A qualified surveyor will identify, locate, and assess the condition of any ACMs in your building.
3. Act on the findings. Depending on the survey results, you may need to manage the material in place, encapsulate it, or arrange for licensed removal.
4. Keep records. The Control of Asbestos Regulations require duty holders to maintain an asbestos register and management plan for non-domestic premises.

If you have reason to believe you have been exposed to asbestos — whether through work, a renovation project, or living in a property where ACMs were disturbed — speak to your GP. Explain your potential exposure history clearly. Early monitoring will not reverse any damage already done, but it can help detect disease at the earliest possible stage.

Protecting People Starts With Knowing What’s There

The most common health risks of asbestos are not historical footnotes. They are active, ongoing causes of serious illness and death in the UK today. The diseases are preventable — but only if the material is identified, managed, and handled correctly before anyone is put at risk.

Every building constructed before 2000 should be treated as potentially containing asbestos until a professional survey confirms otherwise. That single step — commissioning a survey — is the most effective action a property owner, manager, or employer can take to protect the people in their building.

Supernova Asbestos Surveys has completed over 50,000 surveys across the UK. Our team of qualified surveyors works to HSG264 standards and provides clear, actionable reports that allow you to meet your legal obligations and protect the people who matter. Call us on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk to book your survey or request a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common health risks of asbestos?

The most common health risks of asbestos are mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural abnormalities (including pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening), and cancers of the larynx and other organs. All of these conditions are caused by inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibres, and most have a latency period of 15 to 50 years between exposure and diagnosis.

Is asbestos still dangerous in buildings today?

Yes. Asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and left undisturbed pose a relatively low risk. However, if those materials are damaged, deteriorating, or disturbed during maintenance or renovation work, fibres can be released into the air and inhaled. Any building constructed before 2000 may contain asbestos, and a professional survey is the only reliable way to assess the risk.

Who is most at risk from asbestos exposure?

Tradespeople — including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, and decorators — are among those at greatest risk today, as they frequently work in older buildings where asbestos may be present. Building maintenance staff, demolition workers, and teachers in older school buildings are also at elevated risk. Historically, the highest-risk groups were those in shipbuilding, construction, and asbestos manufacturing.

Can a single exposure to asbestos cause disease?

There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. While the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is generally higher with prolonged or heavy exposure, even low-level or one-off exposures carry some degree of risk. This is why the HSE and the Control of Asbestos Regulations treat any exposure to asbestos as a matter requiring proper management and control.

What should I do if I think my building contains asbestos?

Do not disturb any materials you suspect may contain asbestos. Commission a professional asbestos survey from a qualified surveyor working to HSG264 standards. The survey will identify the location, type, and condition of any asbestos-containing materials and provide recommendations for management or removal. Property owners and managers of non-domestic premises have a legal duty under the Control of Asbestos Regulations to manage asbestos risk in their buildings.