What asbestos is
Asbestos is a natural mineral made of very fine fibres. It is strong, heat resistant and cheap, so from the 1950s to the 1990s it was added to thousands of building products in the UK, from roof sheets and floor tiles to boards and textured coatings.
The main types
Chrysotile (white) is the most common. Amosite (brown) was used mainly in insulating boards. Crocidolite (blue) was used in some sprays and lagging. Brown and blue asbestos were banned in 1985, and all asbestos was banned in 1999.
Why it is dangerous
When asbestos materials are damaged, they release fibres too small to see. Breathed in, the fibres can lodge in the lungs and cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer, often 20-50 years later. Asbestos is still the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.
When it is safe
Asbestos in good condition that is not going to be disturbed is usually safe to leave. The risk comes when it is drilled, sanded, broken or removed without controls.
This guide is general information. Every building is different, so ask us before you start work.