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Asbestos became one of the most prolific materials available during the 20th century, and one of the more unexpected places it could be found was in wallpaper. Today, we understand the risks that asbestos poses, and asbestos products of all kinds were banned in the UK in 1999.
So, how do you know whether your property contains asbestos in wallpaper and how dangerous is it? We’re going to answer these questions and more, including why asbestos was added to wallpaper in the first place, what asbestos wallpaper looks like, how to identify it, what to do if you find it and the legal and safety regulations surrounding it.
If you suspect your property contains asbestos wallpaper, avoid disturbing it and call our team now on 0800 358 1100 to book an asbestos survey.
Asbestos was added to wallpaper primarily to add durability and moisture resistance, but it also made it fireproof, and so people thought, safer. It was used mainly in the production of vinyl wallpaper, which was used for bathrooms and kitchens, where being moisture resistant and wipeable made it the perfect choice.
Manufacturers began to add asbestos to wallpaper as early as the 1930s, and its production continued until around the 1980s when rising health concerns about asbestos made it increasingly unpopular.
However, asbestos use was not banned in the UK until 1999, meaning any home built before this date could potentially still contain asbestos wallpaper.
Thankfully, there are some strong visual cues that indicate you might be looking at asbestos wallpaper:
• Thickness – Asbestos wallpaper was usually thicker than normal wallpaper
• Vinyl (plasticky or shiny) – Asbestos was mostly used in vinyl wallpaper
• Curling – The paper may curl at the edges or joints
• Backing – The backing will be a papery or fibrous material
• Patterning – If you are looking at old, textured wallpaper, asbestos may be present
Visual cues aside, identifying asbestos in wallpaper can be tricky, as the quantity of asbestos content was often quite low and disturbing the paper to assess it can be dangerous. The best indicator is the wallpaper’s age. If you know it was applied prior to 1999, or you can see any date stamps or labels that suggest it was produced before that date, then it is likely that it may contain asbestos.
You can also look for a manufacturer’s name. Companies that produced asbestos wallpaper in the UK included:
• Turner & Newall
• Cape Asbestos
• Ferodo Limited
• Marinite Co.
• John Brown and Company
• JW Roberts Limited
• Washington Chemical Company
• TBA Industrial Products
• Turners Asbestos Cement
• Newalls Insulation Company Limited
• Anaglypta
During the latter part of the 20th century, asbestos declined heavily in its usage as an increasing number of studies began to confirm the serious health risks that it poses.
Asbestos is a mineral composed of lots of tiny, long, thin fibres which are easily disturbed. When disturbed, they dissipate into the air where they can be breathed in. Once you breathe them in, they attach themselves to the inside of your lungs and begin to agitate the surface. Over time, this can lead to the development of asbestos related health conditions including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
If your property contains asbestos wallpaper and it becomes aged or is disturbed, these dangerous fibres can be released into the air, potentially finding their way into the lungs of nearby or passing occupants.
If you suspect that your property contains asbestos wallpaper, avoid disturbing it, which includes drilling through it or even hanging pictures or knocking any curled edges. The only way to safely confirm the presence of asbestos in wallpaper is by consulting with professional asbestos surveyors.
These experts, like the team at EMS, conduct a range of survey types including asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys. During each, potential Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) will be identified and samples taken for laboratory analysis, giving you a reliable result without risking your own health or that of other building occupants.
If you own, operate or manage commercial, industrial or retail premises, you are bound by the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 to have your property regularly inspected for asbestos and to have a robust asbestos management plan in place.
The same applies to landlords of rented accommodation with shared areas such as communal kitchens or hallways. Noncompliance can result in considerable fines and even prison sentences. You must also have the property inspected prior to any refurbishment or demolition works.
If you are a homeowner, you are not subject to the same regulations but not having your home inspected for ACMs means putting yourself and others at risk of accidental asbestos exposure.
Find out more about legal obligations and when you need an asbestos survey in our blog post: ‘When is an Asbestos Survey Needed?’.
Asbestos in wallpaper represents a serious potential health hazard for occupants of your property, whether residential or commercial. At EMS, our expert team can help you safely identify and even remove asbestos wallpaper. Learn more about our non-licensed asbestos removals here.
Since 2003, we have been conducting comprehensive, UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys in Worcester, Hereford, West Midlands and Cardiff and across the UK. To book your survey, just contact our friendly team today.
Call us on 01432 263333, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form here.
Anaglypta is a British wallpaper brand that produced asbestos wallpaper during the 20th century. If the Anaglypta wallpaper in your property was installed or produced before 1999, it may well contain asbestos, and you should have it professionally tested to confirm.
Typically, no. However, you may wish to still have it tested for safety if it was installed or produced before 1999
Asbestos in wallpaper can be hard to identify with a professional survey. However, as a general rule, if your wallpaper was produced or applied before 1999, there is a chance that it contains asbestos.
Asbestos wallpaper was produced as early as the 1930s and was popular until the 1980s, with its heyday being during the 1950s. Nevertheless, asbestos was not outlawed in the UK until 1999, meaning any wallpaper produced or installed before this date could feature asbestos.
Wallpaper adhesive or wallpaper paste does not usually contain asbestos, but the wallpaper it is attached to might if it dates from before 1999.
Asbestos in wallpaper can pose a serious health risk if it is disturbed, so removal should be tackled by a professional. They will:
We strongly advise against attempting to remove asbestos wallpaper yourself.
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