Asbestos Awareness Week: A Call for Urgent Action and Reform in the UK

Date: 07/04/25

According to the World Health Organisation, over 200,000 deaths worldwide are attributed to exposure to asbestos, which represents 70% of deaths from work-related cancer. Although asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999, the UK has the highest rate of asbestos-related deaths in Europe. The Health and Safety Executive attributes 5,000 deaths a year to past exposure at work, with mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis contributing significantly to this number.

During Global Asbestos Awareness Week, the Asbestos Information CIC presented A National Asbestos Strategy, highlighting the widespread presence of asbestos in UK properties. In a survey of approximately 128,000 buildings, the organisation found that a staggering 78% contained asbestos. Asbestos becomes dangerous when disturbed or damaged, and considering the ageing and deteriorating state of much of the UK's building stock, the risk to public health is very real and escalating.

As independent and impartial asbestos consultants, we stand with the Asbestos Information CIC in its advocacy for policy and regulatory reforms with stricter oversight and enforcement. The UK continues to lag behind in reducing exposure limits, improving training and implementing consistent monitoring strategies. While no level of asbestos exposure is considered safe, the UK's Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR 2012) currently permit exposure up to 0.1 fibres per cubic centimetre of air, a threshold that has remained unchanged for over a decade. In contrast, the European Union took decisive action in 2023, reducing its limit tenfold to 0.01 f/cm3 under Directive 2023/2668/EU.

Despite growing pressure for reform, the UK has yet to align with these stricter standards. The urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy is clear, but the current level of government investment remains inadequate. Increased funding is essential not only for asbestos remediation projects but also for advancing safer removal methods and the potential need for compensation schemes for those by asbestos-related illnesses. Commenting on the need for intervention, iON's Richard Bennion said:

"We fully support these necessary reforms, but we believe that CAR 2012 remains critically deficient in the key areas of clear and decisive management requirements and training. Without widespread and mandatory improvements in asbestos awareness, identification and management, even the best regulations will fall short of protecting public health.

Working impartially alongside regulators, we see firsthand that the situation has never been more concerning. Over 100 asbestos prosecutions have been brought in the past five years, and despite the threat of heavy fines, the continued presence of this potent carcinogen in buildings across the UK highlights a more profound issue – complacency in risk management and industry practices.

Without proper education and training at all levels, unsafe practices will continue, and preventable exposures will persist. Real reform must include a commitment to ensuring that those responsible for asbestos management and those carrying out remediation work are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage the risks effectively.”

At iON Consultants, our in-depth understanding of asbestos management drives us to raise industry standards by challenging poor practices, advocating for stricter regulations and promoting bespoke training. We support duty holders by instilling a proactive approach to asbestos risk management through accessible, relevant training, robust surveys and comprehensive risk assessments. We help them implement a comprehensive asbestos strategy that minimises exposure to airborne asbestos fibres and ensures a safer, compliant environment.

• Regular asbestos surveys should be carried out by a competent, accredited organisation.
• Up-to-date ‘Live’ asbestos registers must be maintained to record all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and to track any remedial action taken.
• Asbestos management plans (AMPs) must outline how asbestos risks will be managed, monitored and communicated across the entire estate portfolio, not just in high-risk areas.
• Tailored asbestos training equips teams with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively identify, manage and mitigate asbestos risks.
• Proactive asbestos management must be adopted so that swift action can be taken at the point of identification, mitigating both risks and potential fines.

As Global Asbestos Awareness Week marks its 21st year, the need for urgent action in the UK is clear. The country faces a significant public health risk due to the widespread presence of asbestos in public buildings. As asbestos consultants, our commitment goes beyond compliance: we advocate for change, education and innovation in asbestos management. Now is the time to invest in people and processes to protect national health. By demanding better standards and practices, we can create a safer environment for all.

Please share this message with your network and be the catalyst for change in the UK's asbestos story. Together we can lead the way to a safer, healthier future where people and the environment thrive.

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