No items found.
Asbestos use during the 20th century was prolific, and the natural mineral that we now understand to be highly toxic, found its way into everything from telephones to clothing and even paint.
In this guide, our experts are going to delve into what asbestos paint is, why there is asbestos in paint, what it was used for, where it can be found, how to spot it, why it is dangerous and what to do if you find it.
Asbestos paint was commonly used in the 20th century. Asbestos fibres were mixed into the paint to provide additional durability and heat resistance. As a result, asbestos paint is very strong, resistant to fire and even provides thermal insulation.
It was particularly common during the middle of the century but began to decline in use with time, eventually being outlawed in the UK along with all forms of asbestos in 1999.
Asbestos paint in the UK was prized for a number of uses:
The inclusion of asbestos in paint made it ideal for applying to walls and ceilings in both domestic and commercial properties. It made for a durable surface, able to withstand daily wear, and provided additional thermal insulation.
Asbestos paint was commonly applied to commercial and industrial pipework to help protect the pipes and improve insulation, ensuring better thermal regulation for heating or cooling pipes.
Steel is an incredibly durable material, but it is prone to rust when exposed to the elements. Asbestos paint helped to protect structural steel and extend its lifespan with a durable coating.
Adding asbestos to paint made it ideal for high-wear, moisture-heavy environments such as ships and industrial facilities, guarding important components and structures from wear and decay.
Throughout commercial buildings, schools and hospitals, asbestos paint was a practical, affordable solution to safeguarding pipework, structural components and even walls from everyday wear and tear.
As of 1999, asbestos use in the UK has been illegal, and its ongoing management is now governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012.
For homeowners, this has relatively little impact, except when it comes to disposing of any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs), which must be done safely and at an appropriate facility. Check with your local council for disposal procedures in your area.
However, the rules are quite different for owners and operators of:
• Commercial properties
• Retail premises
• Industrial facilities
• Rented accommodation with communal areas
• Schools, hospitals and other public buildings
In these cases, the ‘duty holder’ (typically the owner, operator or landlord) is required to ensure the safe management of ACMs and facilitate their legally compliant removal if necessary. They must arrange for regular asbestos management surveys and draw up a robust management plan.
Asbestos paint, used UK-wide in the last century, can be found in everything from homes to commercial, retail and industrial properties. It was applied to ceilings, walls, pipes, structural components and much more.
Asbestos was once a favourite of the construction industry because it was cheap, durable and heat resistant, meaning it was commonly featured in buildings of all kinds in one form or another.
Due to the inclusion of asbestos fibres, asbestos paint is usually thicker than normal paint and has a rougher surface and a chalkier texture. This is not a guarantee that you’re looking at paint with asbestos in it, but it can be a rough starting point in your assessment.
One of the best indicators of whether your building contains asbestos paint or indeed asbestos of any kind is its age. If your property was built or even had work done to it before 1999, then it may contain asbestos. After this point, all buildings should be asbestos-free.
Professional inspection is the safest, most accurate means of determining the presence of asbestos in paint. Trained, experienced asbestos surveyors can come to your property and conduct visual inspections and collect samples of any suspected ACMs for laboratory analysis.
It is possible to purchase DIY asbestos test kits. However, these involve you disturbing ACMs to collect samples yourself. The danger here is self-evident – without professional training, you risk inhaling fibres during the process, potentially causing long-term health problems for yourself and others. It is always safer to contact a professional.
Testing for asbestos in paint is conducted by a professional asbestos surveyor such as EMS. Asbestos surveys take three different forms:
But all follow a similar approach:
At EMS, we offer UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys and even operate our own dedicated laboratories for rapid, reliable testing.
When asbestos is sealed within another material, such as paint, it is often relatively low risk. However, as the surrounding material ages or if it is disturbed, the likelihood of asbestos fibres being released into the air is increased. If inhaled, these fibres can irritate the lungs and lead to life-threatening conditions including asbestosis and mesothelioma, which still kill around 5,000 people a year in the UK.
Asbestos also poses a significant environmental hazard. Once released, either naturally or through improper disposal, it can contaminate soil and rivers, increasing the chance of someone ingesting or inhaling the fibres. Asbestos does not biodegrade and will remain in the environment until it is removed.
The safest and most accurate way to determine the presence of asbestos in paint at your property is to book a professional asbestos survey. At EMS, we employ a team of expert, qualified and UKAS-accredited surveyors offering asbestos surveys in Hereford, Worcester, London and across the UK.
To book your survey, call us now on 0800 358 1100, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form.
In our professional opinion, no. To use a DIY asbestos testing kit, you need to disturb asbestos materials, which, without proper training, experience and equipment, is highly dangerous for you and others around you. Always consult a professional if you suspect the presence of asbestos in your property.
It can be difficult to tell whether there is asbestos in paint. As a very rough assessment, you can look at the thickness of the paint – if it is thicker or chalkier than usual, it may be asbestos. Additionally, the age of your property can also be an indicator – if your home was built before 1999, it might contain asbestos paint as well as other ACMs. However, the only accurate way to tell is by arranging a professional asbestos survey.
While asbestos in paint in the UK became gradually less popular after the 1950s, its use continued until the outright ban of asbestos in 1999.
Asbestos was added to paint throughout most of the 20th century, until it was banned in the UK in 1999.
It is possible to make some asbestos materials safer by painting them over with a sealant emulsion. This seals in the fibres and makes them less likely to become airborne.
It is highly inadvisable to touch asbestos if you can avoid it. Disturbing it in any way risks releasing fibres into the air.
Yes, and in fact it is much safer to avoid sanding them. By sanding asbestos walls, you can cause fibres to become airborne.
The main types of asbestos used in sprayed coatings and paint were chrysotile (white), crocidolite (blue) and amosite (brown).
BACK TO NEWS