Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Asbestos definition

What does Asbestos mean? In legal practice, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals present in many pre‑2000 buildings and industrial installations; when disturbed, they release respirable fibres that can cause serious illness, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and pleural thickening. The term is used across health and safety, construction, property and personal injury. It is defined in legislation: in Great Britain by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, in Northern Ireland by the Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, and in Ireland by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006–2010. Key legal features include...

Asbestos Waste: Legal Duties on Identification, Hazardous Classification, Handling, Labelling, Storage, Carriage and Disposal

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

Identifying Asbestos waste

Asbestos occurs in several forms, with chrysotile (white), amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue) being the most widespread. Every variety is toxic and carcinogenic, posing serious risks to human health and the environment. It is highly persistent, breaking down very slowly and remaining in the environment for extended periods. Owing to these hazards, the import, supply and use of all asbestos types have been prohibited in the UK since 1999, subject to a few narrowly defined exceptions. Although new applications are banned, asbestos-containing products installed before the prohibition may stay in place. They must, however, be appropriately managed and kept in a safe condition to prevent harm to people or the environment. See Practice Note: Control of asbestos—duty to manage. Asbestos was historically used extensively in buildings. Consequently, during demolition or when undertaking works to a structure, there remains a significant risk of disturbing asbestos and releasing harmful fibres and/or generating asbestos waste...

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