[4] The control limit is the maximum concentration of asbestos fibres in the air if measured over any continuous 4 hour period.

[note 1][4] On 9 June 2009 a company in Swansea, Val Inco Europe Ltd, pleaded guilty to four charges under the Control of Asbestos Regulations and were fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £28,000 costs.

The charges were in relation to work carried out by a contractor, A-Weld, on a furnace at the companies premises.

As a result, asbestos insulation material was disturbed and broken potentially giving rise to powders and fibres.

[5] He added "The failures in this case were entirely preventable and the defendant fell far short of the high standards required.

"[5] Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of silicate minerals that can readily be separated into thin strong fibres that are flexible, heat resistant and chemically inert.

[7] Serious diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis could result if someone were to breathe in high levels of asbestos fibres.