Impact of Asbestos in Construction: Presence in 20th Century Buildings

Asbestos is a Greek-origin word that means inextinguishable and unerasable. It is a naturally occurring mineral valued for its high chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and insulating properties. Consequently, it has been widely used in various types of construction materials. Old buildings typically refer to those constructed during the second half of the 20th century. In Europe, America, and many other parts of the world, numerous buildings erected between the 1960s and 1980s contain asbestos, which can be found in both structural and facility components.

However, the beneficial properties of asbestos are now overshadowed by its health risks. Scientific research has revealed that asbestos is a hazardous substance capable of causing numerous irreversible and often fatal respiratory diseases, as well as some fatal non-respiratory illnesses. These diseases can manifest many years after initial exposure to asbestos. As a result, asbestos has been the cause of a significant number of serious occupational diseases and deaths. Consequently, many countries have banned its use. Despite this prohibition, the challenge of managing asbestos that was previously used in buildings remains.

This section outlines the procedures to follow when rehabilitating a building that may contain asbestos or when demolishing such structures. The first challenge is diagnosing the presence of asbestos, as it is invisible and odorless, making detection difficult. Once confirmed, the next challenge is asbestos removal, which must be carried out following strict protocols to minimize health risks. This study noted that an element that contains asbestos if it is consistent and it is in a good conservation state, is not dangerous. The dangerous element is the one that can release asbestos fibers into the air; these fibers can be breathed in by workers and cause serious illnesses caused by asbestos. In many countries, there are registries of companies with asbestos risk. These records are an instrument to find out which companies handle asbestos in each country. Companies involved in activities or operations using asbestos or materials containing it are required to register in these databases.