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What Does Asbestos Look Like

Being asbestos-aware entails recognising the visual appearance of asbestos.

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28 October 2023

By James

Category: Industry

Recognising Asbestos: A Visual Guide

Over the decades, asbestos has been extensively used in various products, resulting in a legacy of potential health hazards. It's crucial to be asbestos-aware, which includes understanding what asbestos looks like. In this guide, we aim to provide visual insights into different asbestos-containing materials used in the UK.

Understanding Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral, specifically a chain silicate. Silicates are among the most common mineral types on Earth. Asbestos is extracted from the ground through a process similar to mining other minerals like coal and talc.

Once extracted, asbestos is crushed and milled to produce raw fibres that can be commercially utilised. These raw asbestos fibres were then integrated into thousands of materials, creating asbestos-containing products.

It's estimated that around 5,000 different asbestos products have been developed. This guide will help answer the question, "What does asbestos look like?" by showcasing various forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.

The Diverse Forms of Asbestos

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals that were widely used in the UK for their insulating properties, durability, and heat resistance. However, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to severe health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Below, we've highlighted various forms of asbestos and common asbestos-containing materials:

1. Loose Fill Asbestos:

  • Pure, loose asbestos fibres used for insulation.
  • Primarily used for sound insulation, fire packing around cables, and insulation between floors.
  • Typically a blend of Crocidolite and Chrysotile asbestos.
  • High potential for asbestos fibre release.

2. Asbestos Sprayed Coating:

  • Asbestos fibres mixed with a Portland cement binder, then spray-applied.
  • Commonly used as thermal and anti-condensation insulation on the underside of roofs and sides of industrial buildings.
  • Also used for acoustic insulation in theatres, fire protection on steel and concrete, and the underside of floors.
  • High potential for asbestos fibre release.

3. Asbestos Thermal Insulation:

  • Various forms applied for thermal insulation.
  • Includes hand-applied/mixed insulation for pipes and boilers, preformed insulation sections, blocks, corrugated paper, ropes, quilts, and blankets.
  • High potential for asbestos fibre release.

4. Asbestos Insulating Board:

  • Asbestos fibres mixed with calcium silicate.
  • Used for ceiling tiles, walls, infill panels, firebreaks, fire door backing panels, roofs, and more.
  • Early boards contained Crocidolite asbestos, while later versions primarily used Amosite asbestos with or without Chrysotile.
  • High potential for asbestos fibre release.

5. Asbestos Millboard:

  • Asbestos fibres mixed with clay and starch.
  • Employed for heat insulation and fire protection.
  • Used in electrical equipment, such as blow heaters.
  • Crocidolite asbestos was used in early boards, with Chrysotile asbestos in most cases.
  • High potential for asbestos fibre release.

6. Asbestos Paper & Cardboard:

  • Asbestos fibres mixed with water, then compressed into sheets.
  • Used to insulate electrical and heat equipment, and as backing for floor coverings, lining for combustible materials, and more.
  • Primarily used Chrysotile asbestos.
  • Medium potential for asbestos fibre release.

7. Asbestos Textiles, Ropes & Strings:

  • Asbestos fibres spun and woven.
  • Woven materials used to create ropes and strings for various applications.
  • Used for rope gaskets in boilers, caulking in brickwork, and insulation of boilers, pipes, curtains, gloves, aprons, and clothing.
  • Medium potential for asbestos fibre release.

8. Asbestos Gaskets:

  • Asbestos fibres mixed with secondary materials and compressed.
  • Used on boilers, heating systems, tanks, machinery, appliances, and products.
  • Mostly contained Chrysotile asbestos.
  • Medium potential for asbestos fibre release.

9. Asbestos Friction Products:

  • Asbestos fibres bound within resin or rubber.
  • Resin-based materials used for brake and clutch components, while rubber-based materials used for drive belts and conveyor belts.
  • Chrysotile asbestos was commonly used.
  • Low potential for asbestos fibre release.

10. Asbestos Cement:

  • Asbestos fibres mixed with cement.
  • Used in roofing, wall cladding, shuttering, compressed sheets, panels, tiles, slates, boards, and preformed products like pipes, cisterns, tanks, and more.
  • Most commonly used Chrysotile asbestos.
  • Low potential for asbestos fibre release.

11. Asbestos Composites:

  • Asbestos fibres bonded with secondary materials.
  • Combinations of asbestos with other materials at the manufacturing stage, forming a single material.
  • Used in textured coatings, friction products, bitumen and felt products, thermoplastic floor tiles, plastics and resins, and more.
  • Various asbestos types used, but primarily Chrysotile.
  • Low potential for asbestos fibre release.

Identifying Asbestos Materials

Asbestos materials can be found both indoors and outdoors. Common asbestos-containing materials include cement, insulating board, insulation, vinyls, resin, textured coatings, and sprayed coatings. Keep in mind that asbestos ceased to be used in the UK in 1999. Any building constructed before that time may contain asbestos in some form.

It's important to note that while this guide helps visually identify suspected asbestos-containing materials, confirming asbestos fibre content requires professional testing and analysis. In cases where asbestos is suspected, it's best to call in professionals for asbestos testing and removal.

By educating yourself and seeking expert advice, you'll be better equipped to take the right course of action when dealing with suspected asbestos. If you come across any material you suspect contains asbestos, consider consulting professionals for testing and guidance to ensure your safety.

Disease Linked To Asbestos Exposure

Asbestosis is a chronic condition characterised by persistent lung inflammation and scarring resulting from exposure to asbestos fibres. Common symptoms associated with asbestosis encompass breathlessness, coughing, wheezing, and a sensation of tightness in the chest. Additionally, individuals with this condition face potential complications, including the development of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pulmonary heart disease.

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