How was asbestos used?

Asbestos was widely used in industry and construction from the 1900s, it was installed extensively as fire proofing and insulation throughout the 60’s – 80’s and can still be found in many buildings.

Examples of asbestos use:

• Asbestos lagging can be found around pipework and boilers. Asbestos powder was mixed with water and applied as a paste. The lagging often dries out and flakes and if knocked or damaged, fibres are released easily. It was used extensively in hospitals and other public buildings.
• Asbestos was sprayed as fire insulation onto the steel girders and under floors of buildings.
• Asbestos insulating board was commonly used as partitioning and as ceiling tiles.
• Asbestos cement products were used to make roofs, wall cladding, and rain water goods like gutters and downpipes.
• Asbestos was used to make friction materials such as brake and clutch linings.
• Asbestos was used as a building material in many schools and was also present in classrooms as fire blankets, Bunsen burner mats and gauze.
• Asbestos gloves and blankets were provided to welders and welding rods were coated with asbestos.
• Asbestos rope was used by plumbers, many of whom also cut boiler flues and backing plates from asbestos products.
• Asbestos was used to wrap electrical cable.
• Asbestos was used extensively throughout the London Underground system