prompter: I've been doing some DIY around the house and I've come into contact with what might be asbestos insulation, as well as an asbestos cement water tank. I have work to do in that room, as I want to renovate. How can I be sure it is asbestos, and if it is, what precautions do I need to take in order to keep myself and my family safe from the dust? My house is mid-1970s and I live in the UK.

assistant: Most asbestos-related diseases arise only after many years of regular exposure.
An extremely intense short-term exposure also heightens the risk of disease later in life.

Search for "asbestos inspection" online to find a licensed expert in your area. It is not always possible to tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it.

It is best for this to be done at an accredited laboratory.

Short-term asbestos exposure involves incidents that last less than a few days.
• Asbestos exposure is cumulative, so short-term exposures can add up
• Disasters may cause extreme asbestos-exposure events

Asbestos exposure happens when someone inhales or swallows asbestos dust. When asbestos-related diseases develop, it is usually because microscopic mineral fibers have accumulated in a person’s lung tissue or a membrane lining in the body.

No amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe, and people should always take precaution to avoid inhaling toxic dust.

assistant: If you suspect your home may contain asbestos materials or fibers, it's important not to disturb them.  Doing so could release harmful asbestos fibers into the air. Here are a few steps you should follow:
* Avoid any activities that could cause damage or disturbance to suspected areas containing asbestos material such as drilling holes, sawing, sanding or scrubbing. This includes hammering nails into wall studs or ceilings.
* Do not attempt removal of damaged or deteriorating asbestos materials yourself—hire a professional licensed abatement contractor who specializes in the proper handling and disposal of these hazardous substances. Third-party testing services are also available through many companies.
* Take extra care when cleaning up after asbestos containing products. For example, don’t sweep or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos because this will spread microscopic fibres throughout the area. Use wet methods for cleanup instead. When washing clothing wear gloves and put contaminated clothes directly into the washer.  Be sure to properly sealed off affected areas of the home.

If in doubt about whether a product contains asbestos, don't assume it doesn't.  Always err on the side of caution by presuming a material or building product contains asbestos until proven otherwise via laboratory analysis by a qualified inspector/sample collector and analyst.  In general, if disturbed, almost all types of asbestos materials (not just loose powder) are potentially able to release respirable fibers which pose risks to human health if inhaled.  Therefore, it must always be handled very carefully.   Asbestosis can develop years later as a result of long-term exposure.  It causes scarring of lung tissue that leads to breathlessness and increases risk of chest infections (cough and fever).  People living in houses constructed before 2000 could still find traces of asbestos due to improper abatement works performed during past decades.  Although the use of white asbestos, which constitutes over 95% of asbestos consumption historically has decreased worldwide since the early 1980s following concern for its carcinogenicity.  There is evidence, however, that both historical and newly mined darker forms of asbestos—such as crocidolite and amphibole, used much less extensively than white asbestos, are increasingly being used in developing countries.

In conclusion, while rare, mesothelioma remains a serious public health issue and the cost of compensation and litigation resulting from previous widespread usage will likely continue.  It therefore requires careful remediation including encapsulating carcinogens where practical rather than full scale abatement procedures that reduce risk but disproportionately increase costs.

assistant: Google what asbestos looks like or contact a professional, if it is asbestos: wear a mask around it and avoid the area if possible until you are able to completely remove it.