No items found.
Asbestos was used in a huge range of materials and products during the last century, but did you know that there was asbestos in plaster too? In this guide, we are going to review why asbestos was used in plaster in the first place, how dangerous it is, how to spot it, how to test for it, the risks and what to do if asbestos is found in your plaster.
Asbestos was used in plaster materials from around 1920 until it was banned in the UK in 1999. This means that any buildings constructed during this window are potentially harbouring hidden asbestos in their plaster. This can be in your walls, but you can also find asbestos in ceiling plaster and in coatings such as Artex.
Asbestos was incorporated into plaster for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was cheap and readily available, but it is also fire-resistant and adds strength, making it ideal for all kinds of construction materials.
The asbestos in plaster is sealed within the material or bonded within a matrix, meaning it will not readily release fibres into the air. However, plaster can be easily damaged or disturbed, especially during building renovations or demolitions. Once it is damaged, the plaster may begin to release fibres – something as simple as drilling holes for a shelf.
If it is left undisturbed, asbestos plaster can be manageable and may not require removal. This is something that you should establish with the help of an expert asbestos surveyor. They can conduct an asbestos management survey to provide you with practical steps for mitigating the hazards. If you are planning renovations or demolition, you can also request an asbestos demolition survey or an asbestos refurbishment survey.
Unfortunately, asbestos plaster cannot be identified by simply looking at it. The only indicator at your disposal is the date at which the plaster was applied. If it falls between 1920 and 1999, it may contain asbestos. Much before or after this date and it is unlikely to contain any asbestos.
If you think that your plaster may contain asbestos, make sure to avoid disturbing it and reach out to a professional as soon as possible to book an asbestos survey.
Testing plaster for asbestos is potentially very hazardous, as taking a sample for testing requires disturbing the structure of the material which will inevitably release fibres. The best way to ensure safe testing is to speak to a professional asbestos surveyor such as EMS.
Our team has decades of experience in the safe surveying and testing of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) and can collect samples for testing at our UKAS-accredited laboratory. Contact us now on 0800 358 1110 to book your survey or sampling.
The use of asbestos was outlawed in the UK in 1999. However, some modern plasters contain a naturally occurring, heat-resistant mineral called vermiculite. Vermiculite is mined in a similar way to asbestos and often occurs in or near asbestos deposits, meaning there is a chance for cross-contamination. While the risk is much lower than with asbestos plaster, there is still a possibility that even modern plaster will contain asbestos.
If you are unsure about the asbestos content of your plaster, make sure to speak to an expert and book an asbestos survey.
If you have arranged a survey and the results confirm that there is asbestos in your plaster, you should consult with your survey provider. They will be able to advise on whether the plaster can remain in place with a management strategy or whether it needs to be extracted through asbestos removal.
Do not attempt to remove the plaster yourself, as you risk exposure to asbestos fibres which can cause long-term health problems including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
The only way to be certain about whether your plaster contains asbestos is with an asbestos survey from a UKAS-accredited provider such as EMS. We provide expert asbestos surveys throughout the UK and have more than two decades of experience, as well as offices and labs across the country.
To book your survey, call us now on 0800 358 1110, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form here.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, the responsibility for the management of ACMs in commercial buildings and the common areas of rented residential properties falls to the duty holder. This is usually the landlord or building manager. It can include the tenants in some cases, but the landlord or building manager will almost always hold at least some responsibility. It falls to the duty holder to ensure that ACMs are properly monitored through asbestos management surveys or safely removed as needed. Failure to comply with the CAR can result in costly fines and even prison sentences.
Possibly, yes. Asbestos plaster was applied throughout buildings during the 20th century, so anywhere there is plaster, there is also potentially asbestos.
If you find asbestos in the plaster within your property, and removal is required, the cost can vary depending on the amount of contaminated plaster, the accessibility of your property and state that the plaster is in. To get an accurate quote, send our team an email at info@emsgroupuk.com.
BACK TO NEWS