If you live in or are renovating an old house, you may have heard about the dangers of asbestos in Artex. It was widely applied earlier to decorate ceilings and walls and to add a great decorative finish to buildings and houses. Many old coatings of Artex contain asbestos. If disturbed, asbestos fibres can become airborne and lead to severe lung diseases. Understanding the risks of asbestos in Artex is crucial, especially if you’re planning renovations or considering asbestos removal.
What Is Asbestos in Artex?
Artex is a generic word that describes a textured coat, usually used on ceilings and walls in domestic homes from the 1950s to the 1990s. During this period, asbestos was added to the Artex coating to increase strength, fire-resistant properties, and ease of application. While the amount of asbestos that is added to Artex is usually lower (around 1-4%), any amount can be hazardous if disturbed.
Health Risks of Asbestos in Artex
There are no risks of undisturbed asbestos in Artex. Asbestos is dangerous when its fibres are airborne and inhaled. Cutting, drilling, sanding, or removing it will expose harmful fibres into the air. Chronic exposure to asbestos in the air may lead to severe diseases, including asbestosis.
Asbestosis is a lung condition characterized by lung scarring and breathing problems.
● Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers.
●Mesothelioma: An aggressive cancer which affects the pleura and abdomen, which has a direct correlation with asbestos exposure.
As symptoms of diseases caused by asbestos take years to develop, some people may never know they are exposed until it is too late.
Also Read: Understanding the Need for Asbestos Surveys
How to Identify Asbestos in Artex
Just by visual examination, it is difficult to say whether Artex contains asbestos. Asbestos could be found in your home if it was built or renovated before 2000. The most accurate way to verify this is to have an experienced asbestos surveyor run tests for it. They will take a sample and analyze it in a lab to determine whether asbestos is present.
Safe Asbestos Artex Removal
If you have established that you have asbestos in your Artex and you are mandated to remove it, asbestos in Artex removal should be done by licensed professionals. Since asbestos disturbance can cause the emission of harmful fibres, professional removal will ensure safety with strict guidelines, such as:
● Sealing off the area to prevent fibre spread
● Using specialized protective equipment
● Proper disposal of asbestos-containing materials If removal is not necessary, then encapsulation or sealing the asbestos Artex under a new layer of material is possible to avoid exposure.
Final Thoughts
Asbestos in Artex is often a hidden danger in many older houses, but through proper awareness and the advice of professionals, you can manage the risk very efficiently. So, when you suspect any asbestos in your house, avoid disturbing it and seek professional advice. Whether it is testing, encapsulation, or asbestos in Artex removal, the right precautionary measures prevent risks to your health and safety.
