The Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir John Beddington, has confirmed that the strict rules regarding the use of white asbestos will not be relaxed.

Sir John headed a group which was asked to give guidance to the Government on the question of whether or not there should be a change in the classification of white asbestos on the basis that this particular type of asbestos is viewed by some to be less harmful. There is some uncertainty as to the extent to which white asbestos can cause mesothelioma, particularly where the exposure to white asbestos has been fairly modest.

The group refused to downgrade white asbestos from its current status as a class one carcinogenic substance. The group found that it was not possible to determine a threshold level below which exposure to white asbestos could be deemed “safe” for human health and below which it could not cause a person to develop mesothelioma.

These findings confirm the view held by us and many asbestos support groups that any exposure to asbestos can have catastrophic medical implications. It should be a relief to all that in the light of these findings, there are no plans to change the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.