Asbestos is a mineral fibre that was used for many years due to its strength and resistance to heat and oil. Asbestos can be hazardous to health if handled incorrectly.
Asbestos is classed as 'special waste', which means it has to be dealt with differently. It is not counted as household waste.
It can be found in many forms and the main types are usually known as blue, brown and white. White asbestos is the least dangerous of these.
Where is it found?
Although Asbestos will still be found in products pre-dating the prohibition, all types of asbestos are now banned from use in new products or resale of old.
White asbestos was banned in 1999 and can still be found in asbestos textiles, gaskets, friction materials such as brake pads and clutch linings, and asbestos cement products.
Blue and brown asbestos, the most dangerous types, may still be found in older properties as pipe lagging, insulating board, ceiling tiles, internal walls and panels.
For further details on where asbestos is found and what asbestos looks like, please click on the DTER publication “Asbestos in the Home” on the right of the page.
How do I dispose of my Asbestos?