Domestic Presence of Asbestos
From 1930 to 1980, asbestos were extensively used as content of building materials. Homes and buildings that were erected or renovated at this time frame may have used materials that contain asbestos.
This mineral was also used in a number of household products that are heat-resistant like ironing boards or oven gloves. However in the mid-1980s, the usage of asbestos in these items greatly decreased until it was banned in 1993.
Asbestos-free products and those containing asbestos often look similar, so it isn't easy to identify which product is safe to use. Note however, that it is normally the older ones that contain the hazardous asbestos.
The following asbestos-containing materials maybe found in many homes:
• Insulating board
(20 to 45 percent asbestos content)
Insulating board was commonly used in the 1960s to 70s for sound and heat insulation and fire protection. They may be found in ducts, ceiling tiles, infill panels, bath panels, wall linings and partitions. But they are unlikely to be present in buildings that were erected after 1982.
• Asbestos lagging
(55 to 100 percent asbestos content)
Asbestos lagging was used widely in flats that were system-built and public buildings in the 60s to early 70s for thermal insulation of pipes and boilers. It is infrequently found in homes, particularly those that were built after mid-70s. There was a ban for using asbestos as thermal insulator in 1986.
• Sprayed coating
(as much as 85 percent asbestos content)
During the 1960s, sprayed asbestos coatings were commonly utilized for fire protection of construction steel in system built flats. They were applied mainly in lift shafts, service ducts, often in the core of a building. Spraying of asbestos ceased in 1974 and was banned in 1986.
• Cement products
(10 to 40 percent asbestos content)
The most regularly used asbestos material is the asbestos cement which is in almost all types of construction as profiled sheets used in wall cladding and roofing and in partition boards and flat sheets as ceiling and wall linings. They are also in soffit boards, bath panels, flue pipes, fire surrounds and water tanks. Garages and sheds also use it as cladding and roofing as well as drainpipes and guttering.
To date, asbestos is still used in cladding and roofing products although usage has significantly declined in 1976. It is unlikely that asbestos cement release high amounts of fibers, except if they are subjected to excessive abrasion. If there is any damage due to weathering, a small amount of fibers may be released.
• Heating appliances and other household equipment
Asbestos was used in a number of air heating systems and, up until 1976, in electric storage heaters. Also until 1988, it was used in flameless catalytic heaters and some "coal effect" gas fires.
It was also present in some household equipment like ironing boards, oven gloves fire blankets, cooker seals, brake lining and pads.
• Other building materials or products
A large variety of building materials contain asbestos. These would include textured paints, plasters and other decorative coatings. These are still in place, although supply and use was prohibited beginning in 1988. Cushion flooring, plastic floor tiles, roofing felts and blankets may also contain asbestos minerals.
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