Asbestos

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is still extensively mined throughout Canada and Russia.

Asbestos became extremely popular in many industries due to its resistance to heat and its sound absorption qualities.

TYPES OF ASBESTOS

The three main types of commercially used asbestos are crocidolite (blue), amosite (brown) and chrysotile (white). All are dangerous.

Products which often contain asbestos are:

Moulded or preformed lagging - generally used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers;
Sprayed asbestos - used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structured steel work;
Insulating boards - also used for fire protection, thermal insulation, soffit boards, sound insulation, panels, partitioning and ducts;
Some ceiling tiles;
Millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment. Asbestos paper has also been used as a fire-proof facing on wood fibreboard;
Asbestos cement products - these can be flat or corrugated sheets. Corrugated sheets are largely used as roofing and wall cladding. Other asbestos cement products include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks;
Certain textured coatings ("Artex");
Vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles.

If you have a query about any of the information on this site then BASG are more than happy to help you, please contact us on enquiries@berkshireasbestossupport.org or call 0118 467 6544.