Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral

Asbestos has been very widely used in a range of products to improve their strength and durability.  It is non corrosive and resistant to acids and heat and fire resistant.

Where might I find it?

Typical places outside your home where asbestos can be found are in rainwater goods, roofings and the corrugated cement sheeting usually found on outbuildings and garage roofs.

Inside your home, small amounts can be found in Artex type textured coatings.  It can also be found in fire stop panels inside heater cupboards and around boilers, in some floor tiles, and also in fuse box cupboards. 

Until the mid 1980s’, asbestos was commonly used in household products such as oven gloves and ironing boards.   

There is a very low level of fibres in the air because asbestos has been so widely used over the years.  Exposure to this low level of fibres is unlikely to affect people’s health. 

For more information visit one of these areas: