What is Meant by ACMs in Relation to Asbestos?

If you are wondering what ACMs are, read on. The acronym ACM is used to refer to “asbestos containing materials”. Asbestos was used in many construction projects up until the end of the late 20th century due to its durability and affordability. However, it fell out of favour after its dangers were revealed and was eventually banned from the construction sector in 1999. Find out more about ACMs below.

Why are ACMs so dangerous?

Most of the time, asbestos containing materials pose no threat to the public. However, this can change when the asbestos fibres within them are released into the atmosphere. This can happen when ACMs are damaged, cut through, drilled, moved, and so on.

Why might ACMs be disturbed?

These products can be disturbed for a variety of reasons. Asbestos fibres can be released when a shed is knocked down and during decoration and renovation projects. Once the microscopic fibres are released into the air, there’s a big chance they might be breathed in by someone close by. Asbestos is linked to a wide range of diseases, many of which can be fatal. If you have a duty to manage asbestos and suspect it is present on your site, you must act.

What are ACMs dangers?

Asbestos can cause different medical issues depending on where it gets trapped inside the body. If asbestos enters the lungs, it can damage them and scar lung tissue. Conditions that asbestos can cause include mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. It can also cause non-malignant pleural disease. Symptoms that someone has been exposed to asbestos can include shortness of breath, pain in the chest, extreme fatigue, and high blood pressure. However, some symptoms don’t emerge until years after the exposure takes place.

What should I do if I suspect ACMs are on my property?

If you do suspect that your home or business premises is harbouring asbestos-containing materials, it’s wise to arrange for a survey to be carried out. At Safeline, we’ve been testing for and removing asbestos from properties since 2006. We have become a leading partner of various insurers, contractors, public sector bodies and private companies over the years.  Our company was first set up by highly experienced asbestos analysts Chris and Matt. The pair decided to launch a company that they would be more than happy to work for and one that they would use themselves if they were facing asbestos-related challenges.

What makes Safeline different?

Safeline differs from most asbestos management companies for a host of reasons. Firstly, we put our customers at the forefront of everything that we do. Each member of our team is directly employed by us and is trained from scratch to ensure they meet our sky-high standards. All team members are uniformed, and our vans are liveried. We keep all of our paperwork on tablets so we can easily access the information we need if you ever have any queries about our licences, DBS checks, equipment records or training.

We remove all kinds of asbestos-containing materials, and no job is ever too big or small for us. We are located in the West Midlands but offer a nationwide service. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. Why not get an asbestos removal quote today if you’ve been wondering ‘what are ACMs’ and need to find out if you have any on your site? Read our asbestos removal guide for additional information.

Contact us

Now you know ‘what are ACMS’, feel free to get in touch if you do need to remove asbestos containing material from your site or suspect that ACMs are present on your premises. You can reach us today by filling in the form on our site, by giving us a call on 01299 251083 or by sending an email to info@safeline-env.co.uk. You can rest assured that we’ll get back to you as quickly as we possibly can.

 

 

Image Credits: The Energy Smart Academy