NORSAD

Instead, the problem is being monitored and treated on a just in time basis in many areas. That means that surfaces known to contain asbestos are logged and observed, and if there's reason to believe that a risk is imminent, the problem is dealt with... The logical behind this approach is easier to see if we still use the schools example. Up until a decade ago, the idea was that a huge rebuilding programme was happening across the country called ‘Building Schools For The Future', and private companies were bidding to gain the contracts for the building work. Of course, demolition of existing structures was part of that initiative, so the thinking was that this would solve many of the asbestos problems in the process... As we said, it's not schools specifically that have this problem - asbestos was widely used until a few decades ago, and wasn't banned in its entirety until the late 1990s.