Products and materials that contain asbestos

Products and materials that contain asbestos

Once hailed for its incredible durability and ability to withstand high temperatures, asbestos has for a considerable period of time had notoriety for its serious health risks. This naturally occurring mineral was widely utilised in a wide range of products and materials for many years before its potential hazards were fully comprehended. In this blog post, we will explore the various products and materials that often contained asbestos and examine the factors that led to its extensive use and eventual decline of asbestos containing materials ACM’s in 1999.

The Prevalence of Asbestos Usage

Asbestos was widely used in various industries because of its exceptional properties. This material possesses impressive strength, can withstand high temperatures and chemical exposure and offers exceptional insulation properties. Nevertheless, if asbestos fibres are disturbed, they have the potential to become airborne and be inhaled, resulting in severe health problems like lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

Types and Categories of Asbestos

Chrysotile (White Asbestos)

Chrysotile, the most commonly available and utilised form of asbestos, has soft curly fibres and is often found in various products and materials in textiles, cement roofs, artex ceilings, wall panels, and flooring materials within homes and businesses.

Amosite (Brown Asbestos)

Amosite asbestos is typically used in insulation boards AIB. and pipe insulation. It is known for its straight, needle-like fibres that are more brittle than chrysotile.

Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)

Crocidolite sometimes considered the most hazardous type of asbestos due to its thin fibres, which are easily inhaled. It was used in steam engine insulation, spray-on coatings, boards, tiles and cement products.

Tremolite, Actinolite, and Anthophyllite

These less common forms of asbestos were not widely used commercially but can still be found as contaminants in a variety of applications including vermiculite, and talc products.

Everyday products and materials that may contain asbestos

Despite its known health risks, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, asbestos is not completely banned in many countries. The United States have only recently enacted a full ban on the importation and use. As a result, certain products still available today across the globe contain asbestos. It is illegal to import them into the UK under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.  These products may include:-

Building and construction materials

Materials for Insulation

Pipe and Boiler Insulation: Asbestos was frequently utilised for insulating kilns, oven, machinery, pipes and boilers due to its ability to endure high temperatures and minimise heat loss, thereby enhancing the efficiency of heat retention.

Sprayed coating (limpet) Insulation: Insulation manufacturers combined various materials with asbestos fibres to create a highly efficient, fire-resistant or sound proofing insulation solutions. This not only helped commercial properties retain heat effectively, but also reduced their energy costs.

Cement Products Containing Asbestos

Asbestos Cement (AC) Sheets: These sheets were commonly used for roofing and wall cladding in residential and industrial buildings because of their strong durability and ability to withstand weathering.

Asbestos Cement (AC) roof tiles and water pipes: Many people chose asbestos cement due to their durability and corrosion resistant properties, which made them a common option for both residential and commercial structures. These would include roof tiles, rainwater goods, sewage and water pipes under the ground, which are still frequently present in the UK today.

Flooring

Vinyl Asbestos Tiles: These tiles were extremely popular in both residential and commercial settings due to their long-lasting nature and low maintenance requirements. Often secured in place with a bitumen based asbestos adhesive.

Sheet vinyl flooring: commonly installed due to its resilience and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, much like tiles. However, it is important to note that some sheet vinyl flooring may contain asbestos often as a coating to the underside.

Flooring adhesives: Adhesives used to install various types of flooring often contained asbestos to enhance their bonding strength and heat resistance. These again were often bitumen based.

Ceiling Materials & Products Containing Asbestos

Acoustic Ceiling Tiles: Ceiling tiles were enhanced with asbestos to enhance soundproofing and fire resistance, which made them a popular choice for schools, shops, offices, and homes.
Spray-On Textured coatings:  Artex/Popcorn (US Derivative) ceilings were once a popular choice due to their ability to conceal flaws with artistic qualities. Asbestos was often added to enhance their effectiveness.

Joint Compounds: Asbestos was added to the joint compounds to enhance their strength and fire resistance, making them ideal for sealing seams between walls and floors.
Textured paints:  Used to create seals or decorative finishes on walls or external structures such as steelwork.

Automotive & Transport

Brake Pads: Brake pads used asbestos due to its ability to endure the intense friction and heat produced during braking, guaranteeing dependable performance.
Brake Linings: The linings inside drum brakes were made with asbestos due to its durability and efficient heat dissipation.
Brake Shoes: Just like brake pads, brake shoes were designed to handle the high temperatures and friction caused by braking.

Clutches

Clutch Facings: Clutch facings utilised asbestos as a material as it was known for its strength and ability to withstand high temperatures, ensuring optimal performance in managing the friction between the clutch disc and flywheel.

Gaskets

Engine Gaskets: Gaskets made with asbestos were commonly used in engines to ensure a strong seal between metal components, effectively preventing leaks and enduring extreme temperatures and pressures.

Household Products & Appliances Containing Asbestos

Older Models of Hair Dryers: Hair dryers manufactured in the past utilised asbestos in their insulation as a safety measure against the high temperatures produced by the device.
Ovens and Stovetops: Asbestos insulation was used to minimise heat loss and safeguard surrounding areas from the intense temperatures of ovens and stovetops.

Fireproofing Materials

Fire Blankets: These blankets were designed to provide a barrier against flames and high heat, making them useful in emergency situations.

Fireproof Gloves: Gloves were made with asbestos due to its excellent heat resistance, making them a popular choice among firefighters and industrial workers.

Fireproof Clothing: Clothing made with asbestos provided essential protection for workers in high-heat environments, such as foundries and steel mills.

Other Household Items

Ironing Board Covers: Ironing board covers and heat plates were designed to resist the heat from irons, providing a safer ironing experience.
Heat-Resistant Mats: These mats were designed to safeguard surfaces from the heat of pots and pans, making use of asbestos due to its excellent insulating capabilities.

Industrial Products Containing Asbestos

Gaskets and Packing

Industrial Gaskets: Gaskets made from asbestos were commonly utilised in a wide range of industrial settings to ensure effective sealing in demanding conditions of extreme pressure and temperature.
Valve Packing: Asbestos was utilised in valve packing to effectively prevent leaks in pipelines and machinery, owing to its exceptional durability and impressive heat resistance.

Materials for Insulation

Insulating Cement: This cement was formulated with asbestos to ensure optimal thermal insulation in industrial environments.
Pipe Wrapping: Pipes were wrapped with materials that contained asbestos, which served the purpose of preventing heat loss and providing protection against fire. These could be textiles, paper or a wide variety of insulating products.

Products for the Maritime and Military Industries Containing Asbestos

Materials for Shipbuilding

Insulation for Boilers, Pipes, and Hulls: Shipbuilders relied on asbestos due to its excellent insulating and fire-resistant qualities, ensuring the safety of both ships and their crews in the face of extreme temperatures and fire hazards.
Fireproofing Materials: Ships used materials and products containing asbestos to enhance fire safety on board.

Military Vehicles

Insulation and Heat Shields: Tanks, military vehicles, aircraft, and ships utilised asbestos insulation and heat shields to safeguard sensitive components and personnel from high temperatures.

Miscellaneous Products Containing Asbestos

Electrical Components

Electrical Insulation Materials: Asbestos was commonly utilised for insulating electrical wiring and components, effectively reducing the risk of electrical fires and enhancing safety measures.
Wiring Insulation: The use of asbestos insulation around electrical wiring was intended to offer protection against heat and electrical sparks.

Laboratory Equipment

Heat-Resistant Mats and Gloves: Laboratories once relied on asbestos mats, gloves, fume cupboards to ensure the safe handling of hot equipment and materials.
Chemical Process Filters: Filters made of asbestos were used in chemical processes to remove impurities and withstand corrosive substances.

The Decline of Asbestos Use

Asbestos used to be a widely used material in various industries, owing to its exceptional properties.  However, although asbestos has many benefits, a number of nations have enforced stringent regulations and complete prohibitions on products that contain asbestos, including the UK. Nevertheless, asbestos may still be present in older buildings, machinery, and various products. As a result, It is crucial to be aware of the locations where asbestos may be present and to recognise the significance of handling and removing it safely. These measures are vital in safeguarding both ourselves and the environment from the hazards it poses.

In the UK there is a legal requirement to identify and manage asbestos in the workplace. This is generally accepted in pre-2000 constructed properties as asbestos was banned in November 1999. Asbestos can inadvertently be purchased via online sellers who are unaware an item contains asbestos (gas masks for example) or via foreign country companies that don’t hold the same legislative restrictions as the UK.