The Hidden Danger: Where Can Asbestos be Found in Buildings?

Adam Fox • 4 May 2023

Asbestos can be found in a wide range of building materials, making it important to be aware of where it may be present.


Introduction to Asbestos


Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials throughout the 20th century. Its resistance to heat and fire, as well as its durability and strength, made it a popular choice for insulation, flooring, roofing materials, pipes, and ductwork. However, asbestos was later found to be a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. This led to a ban on the use of asbestos in many countries around the world.


Understanding the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure


Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibres are inhaled or ingested. These fibres can become trapped in the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring over time. This can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. The risk of developing these conditions is highest for those who have been exposed to asbestos for an extended period of time, such as workers who handled asbestos-containing materials on a regular basis.


Where Can Asbestos be Found in Buildings?


Asbestos can be found in a wide range of building materials, including insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, roofing materials, and pipes and ducts. The following sections will provide a more detailed look at where asbestos can be found in specific building materials.


Asbestos in Insulation


Asbestos was commonly used in insulation materials, including pipe insulation, boiler insulation, and attic insulation. Asbestos insulation can be found in both residential and commercial buildings, particularly those constructed before the 1980s. Asbestos insulation is typically a fibrous material that can easily become airborne if it is disturbed or damaged.


Asbestos in Flooring and Ceiling Tiles


Asbestos was also commonly used in flooring and ceiling tiles, particularly those made from vinyl or asphalt. Asbestos-containing tiles can be found in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and public buildings. Asbestos tiles are typically safe as long as they are not damaged or disturbed, as this can release asbestos fibres into the air.


Asbestos in Roofing Materials


Asbestos was commonly used in roofing materials, including shingles and felt. Asbestos-containing roofing materials can be found in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Asbestos roofing materials are typically safe as long as they are not damaged or disturbed.


Asbestos in Pipes and Ducts


Asbestos was commonly used in pipes and ducts for its insulation properties. Asbestos-containing pipes and ducts can be found in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and industrial buildings. Asbestos pipes and ducts are typically safe as long as they are not damaged or disturbed.


Common Places Where Asbestos can be Found in Buildings


Asbestos can be found in a wide range of building materials, and its presence is not always obvious. Some common places where asbestos can be found in buildings include:


  • Attic insulation
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Floor tiles
  • Roofing materials
  • Siding
  • Pipes and ducts
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Electrical wiring
  • Fireproofing materials
  • Textured paints and coatings


Asbestos in Older Homes and Buildings


Asbestos was commonly used in building materials throughout the 20th century, particularly in the United Kingdom. As a result, older homes and buildings are more likely to contain asbestos-containing materials. If you live in an older home or building, it is important to be aware of the potential risk of asbestos exposure and take steps to address it.


Asbestos in Commercial Buildings


Asbestos can also be found in a wide range of commercial buildings, including offices, schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Asbestos-containing materials in commercial buildings can pose a risk to employees, visitors, and anyone who occupies the space.


Asbestos in Industrial Buildings


Asbestos was commonly used in industrial buildings, particularly those that were constructed before the 1980s. Asbestos-containing materials in industrial buildings can pose a risk to employees and anyone who occupies the space.


Conclusion: The Importance of Addressing Asbestos in Buildings


Asbestos exposure can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos can be found in a wide range of building materials, making it important to be aware of where it may be present. If you suspect that your home or building contains asbestos-containing materials, it is important to consult with a professional asbestos consultancy. Contact Consulo Compliance today to schedule an asbestos inspection and ensure your building is safe for all occupants.

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by Adam Fox 9 April 2025
Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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