Commercial Waste and Asbestos
We do not provide a collection service for commercial,
industrial or agricultural waste. You will need to arrange for
a contractor to remove waste from your home or business and you
must ensure they are registered with the Environment
Agency as a ‘Carrier of Waste’.
Asbestos
Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great
Britain from the 1950’s through to the mid-1980’s. It was used for
a variety of different purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and
insulation. Any type of building built before 2000 (houses,
factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc.) could contain
asbestos. Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless the
asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when the materials
are damaged.
Asbestos fibres are present everywhere in the environment in
Great Britain so everyone is constantly exposed to very low levels
of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an
asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in.
So there is a possibility that being exposed to asbestos fibres for
a short period of time can cause cancer. Working on or near damaged
asbestos containing materials or breathing in high levels of
asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of
environmental levels, could increase your chances of getting an
asbestos related disease.
When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases
which are responsible for around 4000 deaths a year. There are
three main diseases caused by asbestos: lung cancer, asbestosis
(which are almost always fatal), and mesothelioma (which is always
fatal). Remember, these diseases will not affect you immediately
but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect
yourself now to prevent you contracting an asbestos related disease
in the future. It is also important to remember that people who
smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater
risk of developing lung cancer.
For advice on dealing with asbestos and information about
disposal call Kent County Council Helpline on 08458 247 247
(24hr).
Useful Websites
This webpage was updated on
1/30/2009