Asbestos was widely used in building materials across Europe until it was banned – throughout the EU from 2005 and in many countries earlier – and it is often found in buildings that were built or renovated before the ban. In this article we present the most common places and materials where asbestos can be found.
Tile adhesive
Tile adhesive is one of the most common asbestos-containing materials in older buildings. In particular, the adhesive used to lay wall and floor tiles in bathrooms and kitchens often contains asbestos. Asbestos was added to tile adhesive to improve its strength and heat resistance. If the tiles are removed during a renovation, asbestos fibres can be released if the adhesive has not been analysed beforehand.
Wall filler and joint compounds
Wall filler is another very common source of asbestos. Filler was used to smooth walls and ceilings before painting or wallpapering. Asbestos-containing filler can lie in several layers on top of each other and is particularly hazardous when sanded, because the dust spreads widely. Joint compounds in bathrooms can also contain asbestos.
Vinyl floor coverings and vinyl floor tiles
Asbestos is often found in old vinyl floor coverings and vinyl floor tiles and in the adhesive underneath. In vinyl floor coverings asbestos served as reinforcement, and in floor adhesive as a binder. When you remove a floor covering, pay particular attention to the adhesive layer underneath, which can contain asbestos regardless of whether the covering itself does.
Pipe insulation
In older buildings, the insulation on heating and water pipes is often made of asbestos-containing material. Pipe insulation is particularly problematic because it often has to be removed or worked on when plumbing is renewed or pipes are repaired. Asbestos-containing pipe insulation is often a grey or white compound that crumbles easily when touched.
Roofing materials
Asbestos was also used in various roofing materials, such as roofing sheets, corrugated sheets and roofing felt. Asbestos cement sheets in particular were a common material for roofs and facades. In addition, acoustic panels on interior ceilings and boards behind cladding can contain asbestos.
Floor adhesives and levelling compounds
Adhesives and levelling compounds under floors often contain asbestos. Parquet adhesives, floor covering adhesives and floor levelling compounds in buildings constructed before the ban in particular should be analysed before removal. You cannot tell by looking whether a floor adhesive contains asbestos; only a laboratory analysis gives certainty.
Ventilation systems
In older buildings, asbestos can be present in ventilation ducts and their insulation. Seals and fire insulation in ventilation units can also contain asbestos. Before renewing ventilation, you should always find out whether asbestos could be present.
How do I get certainty?
Asbestos cannot be identified with the naked eye – only a laboratory analysis is reliable. If your building was built or renovated before the asbestos ban, it is advisable to have the materials to be removed analysed. You can take the sample yourself and send it to the laboratory for analysis.
Analysis is particularly important if you are planning removal, sanding or other dusty work. An intact asbestos-containing material is not dangerous, but removing and working on it releases asbestos fibres into the air you breathe.