Asbestos awareness FAQs

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction until it was banned in the late 1990s. Buildings constructed before the year 2000 may still have asbestos in them, but asbestos is only dangerous if it is poorly managed and subsequently disturbed.

If asbestos fibres are breathed in they can get stuck in your lungs, causing chronic illness. The health effects caused by asbestos are mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural disease and asbestos-related lung cancer.

Asbestos was widely used in building materials due to its resistance to heat, fire and sound. It could be found in ceilings and flooring tiles, cement, roofing, and insulation boards.

Asbestos was also used in other products including vehicle parts, boilers, gaskets, electrical wires and textiles.

You cannot reliably identify asbestos by sight. Many asbestos-containing materials look identical to non-asbestos products, and asbestos is often hidden within materials or coatings.

The only reliable way to confirm whether a material contains asbestos is through a survey by a competent person and, where necessary, laboratory testing of samples. Until proven otherwise, materials should be assumed to contain asbestos and not disturbed.

The three main types of asbestos include:

• Chrysotile (white) – the most common form. Found in roofs, ceilings, walls, brake linings, insulations for pipes, and boiler seals.
• Amosite (brown) – used in cement sheets and pipe insulation.
• Crocidolite (blue) – was used to insulate steam engines and also in some spray-on coatings.

Blue and brown asbestos was banned in 1985, and white asbestos was banned in 1999.

While the UK asbestos ban took effect in 1999, buildings constructed after 2000 are not automatically asbestos-free. In rare cases, asbestos-containing materials were:

• used shortly after the ban using existing stock, or
• installed in refurbished elements of older buildings.

In practice, post-2000 buildings are low risk, but asbestos cannot be ruled out without confirmation. If work is planned and there is any uncertainty, a survey or checks by a competent person are still recommended.

Yes – it is illegal to sell (or give away free of charge) any items containing asbestos in the UK.

Asbestos is not easy to recognise as it comes in many forms. Here are examples from the HSE.

If you suspect you have found asbestos then it is important to get a professional to test it.

If your house was built before 1999 it is likely to have asbestos in it. However, asbestos is only harmful if it is broken or disturbed.

It is highly recommended that you do not dispose of asbestos unless you have the right qualifications to remove asbestos safely.

Stop work, inform your employer immediately, and a risk assessment must be carried out. This will then help your employer to decide whether the work needs a specialist licensed contractor or remedial actions taken.

You shouldn’t be working with asbestos containing materials unless you are competent and been authorised by your employer who will have assessed the need to be licensed and put systems in place to prevent exposure and harm.

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992 states ‘every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work.’

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires an employer to have a license to be able to begin licensable work with asbestos.

If you think you have been exposed to asbestos then tell your employer who will have arrangements in place that might include visiting your GP. However, most people do not develop a serious condition as a result of a single exposure to asbestos.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 apply to employers, employees, and anyone with responsibility for managing premises, such as duty holders, where asbestos may be present.

No, asbestos does not have a smell, making it impossible to detect by odour alone.

Testing for asbestos involves taking a sample of the suspected material and having it analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory using polarised light microscopy (PLM) to confirm the presence of asbestos fibres.

The cost of asbestos removal varies depending on factors such as the amount, type, and location of asbestos, but prices normally range from £500 to £2,500 for smaller projects, with larger or more complex jobs costing significantly more.

It is essential to use licensed professionals for safe and compliant removal.

Asbestos cement sheets normally contain about 10-15% asbestos fibres, combined with cement to create a durable, fire-resistant material commonly used in roofing and cladding.

An asbestos survey is needed before any refurbishment, demolition, or maintenance work in buildings constructed before the year 2000. This is to identify and manage asbestos-containing materials, ensuring compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Asbestos must be disposed of at a licensed waste disposal site, using double-bagged or double-wrapped material in heavy-duty, clearly labelled packaging.

Only licensed contractors or authorised waste carriers should handle and transport asbestos waste to ensure compliance with Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Yes, older Artex and similar textured coatings manufactured before 1999 may contain small amounts of asbestos, typically chrysotile (white asbestos), used to strengthen the material.

Failing to have an asbestos management plan puts people at serious risk of asbestos exposure, which can lead to fatal diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Exposure often occurs unknowingly during routine maintenance or minor works.

From a legal perspective, it is also a criminal offence under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and can result in:

• HSE enforcement action (improvement or prohibition notices)
• prosecution,
• unlimited fines, and
• prison sentences for individuals in the most serious cases (up to 2 years).

In a large organisation, the responsible person for asbestos management is the individual with day-to-day control of the premises and authority to act.

In practice, this is usually:

• a facilities manager,
• health, safety and environment (HSE) manager, or
• estates or property manager.

They must be competent, meaning they have sufficient training, knowledge, and support to manage asbestos risks.

Although the task can be delegated, legal responsibility remains with the organisation and its senior management under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. The Health and Safety Executive states that any exposure can increase the risk of serious diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Because fibres are microscopic and damage builds up over time, asbestos must always be managed to prevent exposure, and any work with asbestos should only be carried out by trained and competent people using proper controls.

Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW) is asbestos work that does not require a licence, but must be notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) before it starts.

It applies where the work:

• involves higher-risk asbestos materials (such as asbestos insulation, insulation board, or textured coatings), and
• is not sporadic and low intensity, meaning there is a greater risk of fibre release.

For NNLW, employers must:

• notify the HSE before work begins,
• ensure workers have appropriate asbestos training,
• carry out medical surveillance, and
• keep records of the work and worker exposure.

NNLW sits between licensed asbestos work and lower-risk non-licensed work under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

You can safely live in a house that contains asbestos if the materials are intact, sealed, and undamaged. Asbestos is only dangerous when fibres are released into the air, which happens if it is cut, drilled, sanded, or damaged.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, the safest option is often to leave asbestos in place and manage it, rather than remove it unnecessarily.

Risk arises during:

• DIY work or renovations
• drilling walls, ceilings, or floors
• deterioration or accidental damage

If you’re unsure whether asbestos is present or its condition, seek advice from a competent professional before carrying out any work.

Digital tracking for asbestos waste means using electronic records to track asbestos waste from removal to final disposal.

It replaces paper consignment notes with digitally logged, traceable records, making it easier for regulators to monitor compliance and prevent illegal disposal.

Asbestos waste must be packaged by trained and authorised people only.

It must be:

• double-bagged in approved heavy-duty asbestos waste bags (usually red inner, clear outer),
• sealed securely, and
• clearly labelled with asbestos warnings.

Large items must be fully wrapped and sealed in heavy-gauge polythene and labelled.

Members of the public should not package or dispose of asbestos themselves.
Handling and disposal must be carried out by licensed or appropriately authorised contractors, in line with guidance from the Health and Safety Executive.

If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos, act immediately:

• Stop work and leave the area straight away.
• Avoid disturbing dust or debris and do not attempt to clean it.
• Remove contaminated clothing carefully, seal it in a plastic bag, and wash or shower if possible.
• Inform your employer or building manager so the area can be assessed safely.
• Contact your GP and tell them about the possible exposure so it can be noted on your medical record.

Do not return to the area until it has been checked and made safe by a competent professional, following guidance from the Health and Safety Executive.

Symptoms of asbestosis usually appear 20 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos.

It is a slow-developing disease, meaning people are often symptom-free for decades. When symptoms do appear, they include:

• increasing shortness of breath,
• a persistent cough, and
• chest tightness or pain.

Because of this long delay, preventing exposure is critical. Once damage occurs, it is irreversible.