Uses for Asbestos

ASBESTOS CEMENT
Flat and corrugated sheets, tiles, drainage and rainwater pipes, gutters, flues for boilers and ascots, high pressure water pipes, steam pipes, water tanks, wall ventilators, fire surrounds, moulded products - even flowerpots!

10-15% Chrysotile, although some products contain Crocidolite.

INSULATION BOARDS
Cladding for walls, ceilings and structural steelworks. Acoustic and thermal insulation and fire retardation.

20-40% total asbestos. Usually Amosite, but may be a mix of all 3 types.

LAGGING (TO PIPES, BOILERS AND CALORIFIERS)
Pre-formed sections and slabs or wet plastering. Note that asbestos ropes, tapes, corrugated papers, quilts, felts and blankets are also found lagging boilers.

Up to 90% Chrysotile, Amosite or Crocidolite. Mixture of asbestos types common

SPRAYED COATINGS
Fire protection to structural steelwork, thermal and acoustic insulation, condensation prevention.

Up to 85% Crocidolite, Amosite or Chrysotile.

CAULKING MATERIALS (JOINTINGS AND PACKINGS)
Found anywhere a fireproof seal is required, sections of system built dwellings, sealing holes in service ducts, joints to soil pipes.

30-80% Chrysotile or Amosite.

ASBESTOS YARNS AND ROPES
Mainly used to seal joints as a rot-free fire stop or between components in plant and machinery. Common application as electrical flash guards.

65-100% Chrysotile.

ASBESTOS CLOTHS AND TEXTILES
Fire blankets, fireproof clothing, oven gloves, safety curtains and blankets.

65-100% Chrysotile

ASBESTOS PAPER
Electrical insulation, fireproof facings, heat reflective layers to boilers and electric storage heaters...even used to print books.

Up to 100% Chrysotile

MILLBOARDS
Mainly used for thermal insulation.

45-100% Chrysotile

GASKETS

Approximately 70% asbestos Normally Chrysotile but Crocidolite is also likely.

FRICTION PRODUCTS
Brake linings (road and rail vehicles, lifts and other machinery). Clutch facings.

Older products contained 30-70% Chrysotile but recent materials contain much less.

ASBESTOS REINFORCED PLASTICS

50-70% Chrysotile.

ASBESTOS/VINYL FLOOR TILES
Also backing to PVC floor coverings

7-10% Chrysotile

REINFORCED ROOFING FELT AND DPC

8-10% Chrysotile.

PAINTS AND SURFACE COVERINGS eg"Artex"

Aprox 4% Chrysotile.