When was Asbestos Banned in the UK?
The supply and use of all types of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, although the use of blue and brown asbestos was originally banned in 1985 due to the introduction of The Asbestos Products Safety Regulations 1985.
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When did Asbestos Stop Being Used in UK houses?
The first UK Asbestos ban was issued in 1985 and only applied to the 2 most dangerous forms of asbestos blue (Crocidolite) and brown (Amosite). In November 1999 the UK legally banned the use and import of all asbestos products, many years after the first asbestos related tumour was detected in 1920.
Houses built before 1985 are considered very unlikely to contain asbestos because after this date the use of asbestos in the construction of houses became illegal.
What does Asbestos Look Like?
Appearance: Asbestos fibres are microscopic and not visible to the naked eye. However, when asbestos is used as a raw fibre, it often looks like a fluffy, fibrous mat that can vary in colour, including white, blue, brown, or Grey.
Texture: In some forms, it may appear soft and friable (easily crumbled by hand), while in others, like asbestos cement, it's hard and rigid.
Common Forms:
Loose-fill asbestos: Resembles loose, fluffy insulation material.
Asbestos insulation boards: Dense, rigid boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, and partitioning.
Asbestos cement products: Typically found in sheets or pipes, with a hard and brittle texture.
Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls, and beams/columns: May have a rough, lumpy texture, with a whitish appearance.
What does Asbestos do to Humans?
When asbestos is inhaled the fibres can become lodged inside the tiny air sacks inside your lungs which are responsible for absorbing oxygen. When stuck the fibres can cause inflammation and scar tissue to form, making the lungs stiff and causing difficulty breathing.
Mesothelioma - A cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and lower digestive tract.
Asbestosis - Serious scarring of the lungs that can cause severe difficulty breathing.
Pleural Thickening - Swelling of the lining of the lungs resulting in chest and fluid build up around the lungs.
Lung Cancer - A tumour that blocks the airways in the lungs which can form many years after exposure.
Key Dates of UK the Asbestos Ban
In the UK, the use of asbestos has been banned in stages. Here are the key dates for the different types of asbestos bans:
Asbestos Type | Date of Ban |
Chrysotile (White Asbestos) | 1999 |
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) | 1985 |
Amosite (Brown Asbestos) | 1985 |
How many People Die from Asbestosis each year?
An estimated 5,000 people die annually from asbestos-related illnesses, which equates to about 13 deaths per day.
Note that data collected after 2020 may have been impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic, potentially affecting its accuracy compared to earlier data.
Where is Asbestos Found?
Asbestos was commonly used in many building materials before its risks were known, because of this it exists almost entirely in buildings built before 1999.
Residential Buildings: Widespread use in a large number of homes.
Commercial Buildings: Common in many older office buildings, shops, and warehouses.
Schools and Public Buildings: Frequently found due to the age of many such buildings.
Industrial Sites: Regularly used for insulation and fireproofing in factories and plants.
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Often used for fireproofing and insulation.
Military Bases and Facilities: Extensively used, particularly in older installations.
Railroads and Railway Buildings: Common in older rail infrastructure and rolling stock.
Automotive Repair Facilities: Presence in older vehicle parts like brakes and clutches.
Ships and Maritime Structures: Widely used in older ships for insulation and fireproofing.
Aircraft and Aerospace Facilities: Used in older aircraft and related facilities.
Historical Buildings and Monuments: Variable, depending on the age and restoration history.
Underground Infrastructure: Less widespread but present in older pipe insulation.
Materials that may Contain Asbestos
Here are some materials which may contain asbestos if manufactured earlier than 1999.
Insulation | Flooring and Ceiling Materials | Roofing and Siding |
Textured Paint | Heat-Resistant Fabrics | Plaster and Boarding |
Pipe and Furnace Insulation | Cement Sheets, Millboard and Paper | Automotive Parts |
Gaskets | Electrical Components | Artificial ashes in Gas Fireplaces |
Despite the significant decline in its use, asbestos continues to be responsible for numerous fatalities each year. Many individuals are still suffering from illnesses linked to past exposure, with conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis remaining prevalent.
PPE Required to Remove Asbestos
PPE is legally required when removing asbestos and can fall into 2 categories. Clothing and respiratory protection. These forms of PPE drastically reduce the chance of being exposed to asbestos and inhaling the fibres.
CAT 3 Coveralls
When avoiding contamination to clothing, CAT 3 Type 5/6 coveralls are the required grade needed for the safe removal of asbestos.
When the PPE has been used it is considered contaminated and should be disposed of through the proper procedures. Bagged in a clearly labelled bag and taken to a licenced disposal facility.
Dust Mask
An FFP3 rated dust mask is required to remove asbestos as these masks provide protection from small particles entering the lungs through the mouth.
Contaminated dust masks should be properly bagged and clearly labelled before being taken to a licenced asbestos disposal site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Quickly can Asbestos Affect you?
How Many Houses in the UK still have Asbestos?
How Dangerous is One Time Exposure to Asbestos?
What is the Most Common type of Asbestos?
Would a House Built in 1985 still have Asbestos?
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