Public health risks

As a result of natural erosion of the material, there is continual slow release of airborne asbestos fibres, which poses a potential health risk. In the event of fire, moreover, airborne asbestos fibres regularly impact on public health, incite fear in the general public and lead to high costs in cleaning up the deposits. Against this background, Dutch regulatory standards for asbestos have been made stricter by advice of the Health Council (Gezondheidsraad).