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Read about Asbestos Information CIC

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:46:01 GMT

What is Asbestos Information CIC?

Asbestos Information CIC (Community Interest Company) is a collective of UKAS accredited industry professionals who are improving the way asbestos materials are recorded and assessed.

Thames Laboratories is proud to be one of the founding members of the Asbestos Information CIC, with our Managing Director, John Richards, playing a crucial role in shaping its mission. John's leadership and vision have been instrumental in establishing the company, which is dedicated to improving the future of asbestos management across the UK.

Read more about its mission on the AIC website.

Thames Laboratories' Involvement with the AIC

Thames Laboratories is one of the founding members of the Asbestos Information CIC and has contributed extensively to the development, analysis of data and the report launch.

We have managed the data analysis required for the preparation of the report. This included the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing tools to analyse over 7 million lines of asbestos survey data.

This has enabled the launch of the AIC with the three following components:

Map

Asbestos Information CIC has created a visual map of the relative risk of death from asbestos exposure compared to road accidents in the UK by parliamentary constituency. It provides access to the limited data on the presence of asbestos within a constituency and the condition of these asbestos-containing materials.

Report

Asbestos Information CIC has launched a new report development of an Asbestos Information Certificate titled 'Proposal for the Development of a National (AIC). This uses the format of an Energy Performance Asbestos Strategy'. The report reveals significant data Certificate (EPC) to provide an overview of asbestos findings on the state of asbestos management in the condition and the effectiveness of management for a UK, such as revealing 26% of all asbestos items particular property. The aim is that these certificates analysed were in the highest risk group category. To read the report in full, click here.

Certificate

One of Asbestos Information CIC's key proposal is the development of an Asbestos Information Certificate (AIC). This uses the format of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to provide an overview of asbestos condition and the effectiveness of management for a

particular property. The aim is that these certificates will give a clear and concise analysis of each site, forming the basis of the UK's National Asbestos Register.

The Sunday Times - Asbestos Campaign

Thu, 01 May 2025 11:36:04 GMT

The Sunday Times' Campaign: Removing Asbestos from Schools to Safeguard Student and Staff Health

Media attention has surged regarding the presence of asbestos in schools. The Sunday Times has launched a campaign advocating for a national plan to eliminate all asbestos from schools within the next four decades.

Asbestos, a fibrous mineral widely used in the construction industry until the late 20th century, is now recognized as a leading cause of several debilitating diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Its symptoms often remain latent for up to 40 years, making it a silent killer that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

In recent years, concerns have escalated about the long-term health effects of asbestos exposure in schools. This hazardous material has had a devastating impact, with both students and teachers suffering the consequences of past exposure.

Distressing Reality: Unknowing Exposure and Fatalities

The Times’ article sheds light on the urgent issue of asbestos in schools, revealing the distressing reality faced by individuals who were unknowingly exposed to the substance during their educational years. Shockingly, an estimated 10,000 pupils and staff members have died as a result of asbestos exposure since the 1980s. Despite the well-known health risks, many schools in the UK still have this dangerous material on their premises, with approximately 21,500 schools affected.

Negligent Approach

The article also highlights the negligent approach taken by authorities in dealing with asbestos in schools. Failure to effectively remove or manage these hazardous materials has resulted in tragic consequences for those affected.

Lack of Awareness

One of the most concerning aspects revealed in the article is the lack of awareness among teachers, students, and parents regarding the risks associated with asbestos. Many individuals are unaware that their schools may contain this deadly substance. Moreover, accountability for asbestos maintenance and removal is often unclear, leading to challenges in enforcing proper regulations and inspections.

Enhancing Awareness

There is a need for greater awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and the steps that can be taken to mitigate exposure risks. Collaboration between schools, government agencies, and asbestos removal specialists is essential to develop comprehensive strategies for identifying, managing, and eliminating asbestos from educational environments.

Action Needed

The Times’ article serves as a wake-up call, urging immediate action to address the ongoing asbestos crisis in schools. It is crucial for educational institutions, government bodies, and relevant organisations to prioritise the safety and well-being of students and teachers. This includes conducting thorough asbestos surveys, implementing effective management plans, and ultimately removing all asbestos from school buildings.

The Sunday Times' 'Act now on Asbestos' campaign reported that that more than 6 million tonnes of asbestos is present in as many as 1.5 million UK buildings.

We are proud to have made our SME Climate Hub Commitment!

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:45:48 GMT

Thames Laboratories is serious about the climate emergency, which is why we’ve signed up for the SME Climate Hub Commitment.

We want to curb emissions and gain a competitive edge by halving greenhouse gas emissions and reach net-zero before 2030!

The SME Climate Hub seeks to support millions of small and medium-sized enterprises to take climate action, build business resilience and gain a competitive advantage. The SME Climate Hub encourages SMEs to take immediate action to halve greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions before 2050.

The commitment gives businesses like us access to a range of practical tools, knowledge, and best practice resources to future-proof the business. The SME Climate Hub also works in partnership with Oxford University and has managed to create over 500 tools and resources to offer SMEs that will help them to future-proof their business.

The tools:

These have been tried and tested by climate experts and business leaders to help us exceed our commitment. The tools and resources will help us track and communicate progress, learn more about climate change, measure and manage our emissions and gain insights into the best practices.

Did you know:

SMEs makeup 90% of businesses worldwide and employ over 2 billion people.

Climate change is a threat to SMEs and with 40% to 60% of small businesses never reopening after a disaster, building resilience has never been so important.

By registering, Thames Laboratories will be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, which gives us visibility in the community and with our clients – YOU could do the same.

Being part of the SME Climate Hub community offers collaborative and commercial opportunities to grow the business and to be a leading brand, as market trends shift to a low-carbon economy.

Join us and get access to a range of tools to plan how you’ll get to net-zero! >> https://smeclimatehub.org

Data reveals impact of deadly asbestos-related cancer in Peterborough as inquiry is launched

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:39:12 GMT

Asbestos-related cancer has claimed the lives of more than 150 people in Peterborough over almost four decades, figures reveal.

MPs have launched an inquiry into how the material is being managed across the UK after serious safety concerns were raised. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining of some organs, including the lungs.

Health and Safety Executive data shows the disease was responsible for 168 deaths in Peterborough between 1981 and 2019, of those 28 occurred between 2015 and 2019. The figures also show the mesothelioma death rate among women in Peterborough, taking age differences into account, is higher than across Great Britain as a whole.

The Work and Pensions Committee, which launched the inquiry, said that despite the importation, supply, and use of asbestos being banned in the UK since 1999, it remains the largest single cause of work-related fatalities. More than 5,000 deaths each year are caused by diseases linked to asbestos exposure including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

The inquiry will examine the risks posed by asbestos in the workplace, the actions taken by the HSE to mitigate them, and how its approach compares to those taken in other countries. Though traditionally, higher levels of asbestos-related illness were associated with work in industrial sites such as shipyards, in recent years this also expanded to other industries, including construction.

But campaigners say people using buildings where asbestos is poorly maintained, including some schools and hospitals, are also at risk of contracting the deadly disease and want to see action from the Government to tackle the issue.

Liz Darlison, chief executive of charity Mesothelioma UK, said she was shocked at the figures, which show that 12,500 people died of mesothelioma in Great Britain in 2015-19. The highest number for any previous five-year period.

She added poor asbestos management led to “ Public health disaster number one, our country is riddled with the stuff and we have to address this if we want to protect future generations. We need a long-term, government-led initiative to remove asbestos, even if it takes several generations . ”

Dawn McKinley, chairman of the UK Mesothelioma Alliance, which includes charities, support groups, and healthcare organisations, is calling for action to protect children and staff coming into contact with asbestos in schools.

She said: “ Teachers, former pupils, school janitors, cleaners, and canteen staff are dying from asbestos-related cancer and mesothelioma, and the numbers are increasing. The dose level required to contract mesothelioma is extremely small. Our politicians, duty holders, and decision-makers must come together and use their powers to protect our children from the real dangers they face from exposure to asbestos in our schools. ”

The HSE said targeting asbestos risk has been and remains a priority. A spokesman said: “ Sadly, the damage from exposure to asbestos takes many decades to show itself as there is often a latency of up to 40 years before the disease is detectable. This means that cases now, and in the recent past, normally result from exposures which predate the time during the 1980s when the regulations and work practices were significantly tightened. Asbestos is, however, still present in older buildings given its previous uses and it must be managed appropriately. ”

The HSE is expecting the incidence of mesothelioma to decline in the coming years.

The spokesman added that it will be working with MPs throughout the inquiry.

HSE Approach to Asbestos Management Examined

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 11:40:27 GMT

The Work and Pensions Committee launches an enquiry into how the Health & Safety Executive manages the continued presence of asbestos in buildings.

Despite the importation, supply, and use of the material being banned in the UK since 1999, asbestos remains the largest single cause of work-related fatalities, with more than 5,000 deaths each year from diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

The Committee raised concerns last year with the Government about the UK’s policy on managing asbestos in buildings, following the publication of a report by think tank Respublica. In response, the Minister for Employment confirmed that the HSE would be reviewing the effectiveness of the regulations for managing asbestos.

The Committee’s inquiry will examine the current risks posed by asbestos in the workplace, the actions taken by HSE to mitigate them, and how its approach compares to those taken in other countries. The results of the inquiry will feed into the executive’s review.

Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said:

“ Despite being banned for more than 20 years, the impact of asbestos is still devastating lives. Thousands of people die from asbestos-related illnesses every year. With the UK death rate from asbestos-related illness the highest in the world, there are serious concerns about how the material is being dealt with compared with how it is managed in other countries, such as France. The HSE is rightly looking into how asbestos can be handled more safely and the Committee’s inquiry will help to make sure monitoring and regulations are as effective and safe as they can possibly be .”