FREE Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Construction, Diagnosis, Maintenance & Repair The accuracy & trustworthiness of every article or Q&A is researched by human experts. See WHO ARE WE?
UK & EU Asbestos Building Material Regulations, Bans, Dates, Rules & Laws
UK asbestos ban history & regulations
POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about asbestos building material regulations, standards, & codes. Requirement to notify workes of the presence of asbestos.
UK - United Kingdom & EU - European Union Asbestos Bans, Rules, Regulations Guide: this article describes current asbestos exposure & handling regulations and lists the history of asbestos law and regulations.
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
Regulations & Information About Asbestos in the EU and UK
Asbestos Regulations in the E.U. also previously followed in the UK
There are common EU rules determining provisions concerning asbestos. The provisions apply to all activities where there is a risk that an employee will be exposed to the dust which contains asbestos.
To work with asbestos, you need a special permit from the Swedish Work Environment Authority, you also need training as well as a medical examination certificate.
A company that conducts demolition work on materials that contain asbestos without permission from the Swedish Work Environment Authority risks having to pay a penalty of SEK 50,000. Questions regarding products that contain asbestos are covered by the Chemicals Agency’s regulations. - See http://www.av.se/dokument/inenglish/legislations/eng0601.pdf
ASBESTOS: The SURVEY GUIDE [PDF], (2012) U.K. HSE, Health and Safety Executive, Website: www.hse.gov.uk
Abstract:
This heavily illustrated publication replaces and expands on MDHS100, Surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials. It is aimed at people carrying out asbestos surveys and people with specific responsibilities for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
The book covers competence and quality assurance and surveys, including: survey planning, carrying out surveys, the survey report and the dutyholder’s use of the survey information. It includes extensive appendices and references. - retrieved 2018/06/13, original source http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/hsg264.pdf)
ASBESTOS PRODUCTS in the UK, LIST [PDF], U.K. HSE, Health and Safety Executive, retrieved 2018/06/13, original source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/managing/products.htm Website: www.hse.gov.uk
ASBESTOS TILE MANUFACTURE [web page] re-printing from Rosato. (Does not name which form of asbestos but gives percentages)
ATSDR, PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT, ASBESTOS [PDF] CAS#: 1332-21-4, US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology/Toxicology Information Branch, 1600 Clifton Road NE, E-29, Atlanta, Georgia 30333 USA, retrieved 2018/06/13, original source: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp61-c1-b.pdf
ATSDR, TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR ASBESTOS (TP-61) [PDF], (2001) US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology/Toxicology Information Branch, 1600 Clifton Road NE, E-29, Atlanta, Georgia 30333 USA, retrieved 2018/06/13, original source: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp61.pdf
Burdett, G. J., and S. A. M. T. Jaffrey. "Airborne asbestos concentrations in buildings." The Annals of occupational hygiene 30, no. 2 (1986): 185-199.
Abstract
Airborne concentrations of asbestos and other fibres were measured in 39 buildings containing asbestos materials used in their construction or present in warm-air heating systems and in four buildings without asbestos materials.
Samples were collected onto membrane filters and analysed using both phase contrast optical microscopy (PCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Of the 235 samples analysed by PCM, 13% gave fibre concentrations above 0.01 fibres per millilitre (f ml −1 ); no sample exceeded 0.075 f ml −1 .
However, subsequent TEM analysis showed that most of the fibres were not asbestos and at only one site did the > 5 μm long fibre concentration exceed 0.001 asbestos f ml −1 . All sizes of asbestos fibres were also analysed in the TEM at × 17 000 magnification.
Only 20% of the buildings had asbestos fibre concentrations above the limit of quantification (>4 fibres counted) and often only a few chrysotile fibrils were detected.
Mass calculations based on the fibre size showed that the average concentration of chrysotile was < 1 ng m −3 at all sites, and only when large amosite fibres were present was the 1 ng m −3 level exceeded.
Hendry, N. W. "The geology, occurrences, and major uses of abestos." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 132, no. 1 (1965): 12-21.
Kazan-Allen. L. UNITED KINGDOM BANS CHRYSOTILE [PDF] (1999) British Asbestos Newsletter, Issue 36: Autumn 1999. retrieved 2018/02/07 original source: http://www.britishasbestosnewsletter.org/ban36.htm
Excerpt: Chrysotile had been the only type of asbestos permitted in the UK since amosite and crocidolite were banned in 1985.
Lange, John H. "Asbestos-containing floor tile and mastic abatement: is there enough exposure to cause asbestos-related disease?." Indoor and Built Environment 14, no. 1 (2005): 83-88.
Abstract:
Chrysotile asbestos has been reported as a constituent of both floor tiles and mastic. In consequence, asbestos-containing floor tiles and mastic have been identified by regulatory agencies as hazardous materials.
The reason for this categorisation is the suggested potential for these materials to cause asbestos-related diseases and as a result special handling has been prescribed. However, studies have reported that little airborne asbestos exposure occurs during abatement of these materials.
Evaluation of exposure levels in comparison with levels with the potential of disease causation suggests that there is little likelihood of workers handling or removing these materials developing an asbestos-related disease.
When the maximum exposure level of 0.02f·ml−1 (0.8f·ml−1 year) found during studies is considered over a 40-year period and evaluated with epidemiological data, the risk of mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer may be estimated to that reported for background levels.
From a practical point of view this represents zero risk. Study results suggest that floor tile and mastic are not likely responsible agents for asbestos disease in either abatement or other workers associated with these products.
Sebastien, P., J. Bignon, and M. Martin. "Indoor airborne asbestos pollution: from the ceiling and the floor." Science 216, no. 4553 (1982): 1410-1412.
Abstract:
Electron microscopic measurements of the concentrations of airborne asbestos were carried out inside and outside an office building having ceilings sprayed with a crocidolite-containing material and floors covered with vinyl-chrysotile tiles.
Under normal conditions in this building, constructed 10 years ago, the two asbestos-containing materials released fibers into the air. This is the first measurement of elevated (up to 170 nanograms per cubic meter) concentrations of indoor airborne asbestos associated with the weathering of asbestos floor tiles during their service life.
Asbestos flooring is used in a large number of buildings and represents the third largest use of asbestos fibers in the United States and in Europe, ranking after roofing and asbestos-cement pipe.
Tossavainen, Antti. "Global use of asbestos and the incidence of mesothelioma." International journal of occupational and environmental health 10, no. 1 (2004): 22-25.
Abstract:
In Western Europe, Scandinavia, North America, and Australia the manufacture and use of asbestos products peaked in the 1970s.
Current incidences of mesothelioma range from 14 to 35 cases/million/year in 11 industrialized countries that had used asbestos 2.0 to 5.5 kg/capita/year about 25 years earlier.
A significant linear correlation (r = 0.80, p 0.01) exists between the two variables. Accordingly, about 170 tons of produced and consumed asbestos will cause at least one death from mesothelioma, most often as a consequence of occupational exposure.
The importation, supply and use of blue and brown asbestos were made illegal in the
UK only in 1985.
Chrysotile was banned only 10 years ago (in 1999), with the exception
of a few specialised uses.
However, asbestos materials have been used extensively
for more than a century, leaving many thousands of tons of asbestos in buildings
at the present time.
Asbestos ‘is estimated to be present in 90% of all public
sector housing’ (CSE, 2005).
Waldman, Linda. "'Through no fault of your own': asbestos diseases in South Africa and the UK." (2008).
...
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above
Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.
cites three asbestos forms but as you noted, does not apply the "blue" (crocidolite) to flooring. I'm not sure that document is complete.
White asbestos: chrysotile, serpentine
Brown asbestos: amosite, amphibole
Blue asbestos: crocidolite, amphibole
Your second source: UK ASBESTOS SURVEY GUIDE & PROCEDURES [PDF] retrieved 2018/02/07 original source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/hsg264.pdf)
includes this remark
In general, however, unless there is evidence to show otherwise, the asbestos type should be assumed to be crocidolite asbestos.
Appendix 2: ACMs in buildings listed in order of ease of fibre releaseable of products and asbestos types simply does not include flooring. Probably because the ease of fibre release is so low.
But consistent with your observation the document states:
99 Some materials, like textured plasters, paints and vinyl floor tiles, may contain very fine dispersed chrysotile asbestos which may not be seen by eye or with a magnifying glass, and these materials (if old) will have to be presumed to contain asbestos unless they are sampled and carefully analysed by a competent laboratory.
As imported materials may have contained chrysotile asbestos until 1999 and laboratories often miss the fine asbestos, some additional checks may be necessary with these types of materials.
Other useful characteristics (eg surface texture, sound when knocked, warmth to touch, surface hardness/deformation with a probe) may also be used by experienced surveyors to help compare the material with other materials they have previously encountered and had samples identified.
Unless the surveyor is convinced that there is adequate evidence to conclude that the material is asbestos-free (eg plaster, plasterboard, wood etc), a presumption or strong presumption should be made that it is an ACM.
Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.
Search the InspectApedia website
Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed:if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.
Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
[17] National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (1989). In NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (P. M. Eller, Ed.),
Method 7400. NIOSH, Washington, DC.
[18] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA—Green Book) (1990). In Managing Asbestos in Place: A Building Owners Guide to Operations and Maintenance Programs for Asbestos-Containing
[19] U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (USDOL) (1994). In Occupational Exposure to Asbestos:
Final Rule, FR Vol. 59, No. 153:40964–41162. Materials, Report 2OT-2003. USEPA, Washington, DC.
[20] U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(USDOL) (1986). In Occupational Exposure to Asbestos: Tremolite, Anthophyllite, and Actinolite: Final Rule, FR Vol. 51, No. 119:22631–22644.
[21] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (1990). In Environmental Asbestos Assessment Manual, Superfund Method for the Determination of Asbestos in Ambient Air, Part 2, Technical Background Document, Report EPA/540/2-90/005 b. USEPA, Washington, DC
[22] Ceiling - Frequently Asked Questions, Armstrong Corporation, web search 6/30/12, original source: https://www.armstrongflooring.com/resclgam/na/ceilings/en/us/article17697.html
[23] BPB America Inc.,
5301 West Cypress St., Suite 300,
Tampa, FL 33607,
Tel: 866-427-2872
E-mail: crc@bpb-na.com
Web: www.bpb-na.com. Acoustic ceiling tile & accessories.
[24] Affa Tile Company
No. 1116/8, Poonamalee High Road, Opposite Hotel Shan Royal, Koyambedu
Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600 107, India, E-Mail: affatiles@gmail.com website: http://www.affatiles.com Tel:044-24757498, 044 - 24757497
[26] "Directive 2003/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 March 2003 amending Council Directive 83/477/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work". Publications Office of the European Union. 27 March 2003 Web search 6/30/12, original source: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32003L0018:EN:NOT,
[27] H. M. Murray, testimony before the Departmental Committee on Compensation for Industrial Diseases "Minutes of Evidence, Appendices and Index", 1907. p. 127
[28] D. Auribault, "Note sur l'Hygiène et la Sécurité des Ouvriers dans les Filatures et Tissages d'Amianté (On hygiene and security of the workers in the spinning and weaving of asbestos)" in Le Bulletin de l'Inspection du Travail, 1906, pp 120–132.
[29] Wikipedia entry on Asbestos and various citations from that article, web search 6/30/12, original source: en.wikipedia.org "Asbestos"
[30] "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Professional Roofing, February 1992, p. 38-43
[31] EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
[32] EPA Asbestos Materials Bans-1989: 1989 (OBSOLETE)
On July 12, 1989, EPA issued a final rule banning most asbestos-containing products. In 1991, this regulation was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. As a result of the Court's decision, the following specific asbestos-containing products remain banned: flooring felt, rollboard, and corrugated, commercial, or specialty paper. In addition, the regulation continues to ban the use of asbestos in products that have not historically contained asbestos, otherwise referred to as "new uses" of asbestos.
Web Search 01/20/2011, original source: epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ban.html - quoting:
Below are four relevant Federal Register notices [ concerning asbestos manufacture, use, and bans in the U.S.] :
[38] Title 2 - Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response, web search 01/2/2011, original source: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2009-title15
/html/USCODE-2009-title15-chap53-subchapII.htm
[39] Code of Federal Regulations and Federal Register Notices
Code of Federal Regulations
[40] 40 CFR Part 763 - Asbestos (PDF) (96 pp, 588K, about PDF), web search 01/2/2011, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/2003pt763.pdf
Subpart E - Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools
Subpart G - Asbestos Worker Protection
Subpart I - Prohibition of the Manufacture, Importation, Processing and Distribution in Commerce of Certain Asbestos-Containing Products; Labeling Requirements
Federal Register Notices - The Government Printing Office maintains a searchable database of all Federal Register (FR) Notices.
[43] The U.S.
EPA also maintains a searchable listing of Federal Register Notices published by EPA.
[44] Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on Asbestos, Its Industrial Applications, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print).
[45] "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Professional Roofing, February 1992, p. 38-43
[46] EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
[47] Copy on file as - /hazmat/Asbestos_in_Your_Home_US_EPA.pdf - Asbestos in Your Home - U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
[48] NRCA Roofing and Waterproofing Manual, 4th Ed., available from the National Roofing Contractors' Association.
[49] "Tips for working with fiber-cement roofing products", Thomas L. Smith, AIA, RRC, Professional Roofing, September 1996
[50] "About Asbestos Cement Roof Shingles", Ann Johnson, at ehow.com, a nice article about the history of this material - November 2008.
[51] Thanks to reader Tom Sukeforth, Asbestos & Lead Project Manager, Department of Facilities Management, University of Maine
for updating our information on the current permissible exposure limits (PELS) for asbestos fibers, and for the discussion of PACM. 07/29/2010.
[52] Presumed Asbestos-Containing Material (PACM) vs. Suspect Asbestos-Containing Material, Michael Kindley, CIHWorkplace Hygiene website, via web search 07/29/2010, http://www.workplace-hygiene.com/articles/PACM-v-Susp.html
[53] Asbestos regulations for Ontario are published under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and are in Ontario Regulation 278/05 Web search 11/4/2010, original source: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_050278_e.htm
[57] Kazan-Allen. L. United Kingdom Bans Chrysotile. British Asbestos Newsletter, Issue 36: Autumn 1999.
In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.