Tutorials: General information on asbestos

1. How do I detect asbestos?

Asbestos cannot usually be seen with the naked eye. Only an analysis of the material provides clear certainty. However, the time period in which the material in question was processed can be a clue, as asbestos was increasingly used as a building material between 1930 and 1993.

We strongly advise against smelling suspicious materials, as asbestos is odorless and the dangerous fibers can be inhaled!

The moment asbestos fibers are released and inhaled, there is a risk - similar to smoking - that they will cause long-term damage to the lungs and respiratory tract. This fiber release can occur if materials containing asbestos are porous or have not been processed properly.

The following therefore applies before planned construction work: First have the materials analyzed, consult a building expert if in doubt and then start renovation or disposal work.

We provide information about typical asbestos hiding places in the home here.

2. Why is asbestos dangerous?

If asbestos fibers are released, they can cause a disease of the respiratory tract and lungs (asbestosis). The fibers are not completely broken down by the body, but harden in the lungs and often only lead to fibrosis or, in the worst case, even cancer decades after exposure to asbestos.

The gradual progression of this chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract is what makes asbestos so insidious and why it is so important to raise awareness. Depending on the concentration and personal conditions, asbestos can cause massive physical damage even after brief exposure.

Read more (GER):

https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/umwelt-haushalt/wohnen/asbest-gefaehrlich-und-immer-noch-aktuell-48383

3. When and where was asbestos installed?

When was asbestos used?

Asbestos was used in many different ways and was one of the main materials used in well over 3,000 different products. The use of asbestos peaked between 1960 and 1990, until it was banned in 1993. The asbestos ban applies to the manufacture, placing on the market and use of the substance.

You are on the safe side with an asbestos analysis.

Where in the house can asbestos be installed?

There is no general answer as to where exactly asbestos is found in your home. Many people are familiar with corrugated roofs and night storage heaters containing asbestos. But there are many more possible asbestos hiding places in older buildings.

To name just a few examples: Old boilers or water heaters in basements are unfortunately often insulated with lightweight panels containing asbestos. The critical point here is that these insulations are often weakly bound asbestos products. Ageing and external influences, such as vibrations or mechanical damage, can release large quantities of asbestos fibers into the room air.

Asbestos can also be found in walls: For example, in plaster and fillers, tile adhesives, paints, varnishes or switch and electrical insulation. Older electrical appliances such as toasters, hobs, waffle irons, curling irons and irons may also be insulated with asbestos cardboard.

In our infographic, we show you other typical asbestos hiding places. In addition to information on material properties and asbestos content, the infographic provides many sample images to help you identify potential asbestos hiding places at home.

Of course, only an asbestos test can provide certainty. Make sure you're smart before you renovate!

Which roofs may contain asbestos?

Due to its heat resistance and fire resistance, asbestos was used in numerous materials and was also used in many roofs (built between 1930 and 1993). Asbestos is most commonly found in roof tiles, artificial slate tiles, Eternit panels and corrugated fiber cement panels.

If you find the "AF" mark (for "asbestos-free") on Eternit panels, you can rule out asbestos exposure. However, this marking is not standardized on all panels.
Many old roofs are heavily contaminated with asbestos and you should always have a professional analysis carried out before any building work is carried out. You can find out more about asbestos analysis here.

Am I allowed to clean my asbestos roof?

Asbestos roofs must never be cleaned with a hard jet of water, as this releases asbestos fibers. Uncoated asbestos sheets must not be cleaned at all. Only coated asbestos sheets may be cleaned with unpressurized water.

We generally advise against cleaning asbestos roofs. This is because even coated roofs can become porous over the years and the risk of fiber release is too great.

Cleaning with:

• low-pressure or high-pressure cleaners
• brushing (e.g. with a wire brush)
• sanding

In Germany further details on handling asbestos are set out in the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances 519 (TRGS 519) and in the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV). You will find similar regulations in all countries.

Further information on asbestos roofs made of fiber cement can be found here.

Where can asbestos be installed in the bathroom?

A good exclusion criterion is the year of construction of the bathroom. No asbestos was used after 1993, but you should have older bathrooms analyzed before you actively start building.

These bathroom materials may contain asbestos:

• Insulating elements for bathtubs and showers
• Tile adhesive
• Grouts
• Floor coverings
• Leveling compounds under the floor covering
• Filling compounds on walls and ceilings
• Insulation of heating pipes
• Insulation behind radiators and under PVC floors

Find out more about asbestos in the bathroom here.

Which floor coverings contain asbestos?

There are many floor coverings, such as cushioned vinyl and Floor Flex panels, that were made with asbestos. For a detailed insight, we recommend taking a look at our infographic.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s in particular, cushion vinyl was used, which was trendy at the time. This is a foamed plastic with a printed design and a felt-like, beige-grey cardboard that consists of weakly bound asbestos and is therefore particularly dangerous. The asbestos fibers can easily come loose and get into the air or simply be carried away by the fibers getting caught on your shoes or those of your loved ones and spreading throughout the house.

So called Floor Flex panels have also been used in many cases. Here, the asbestos is found in a firmly bound form, but can still be released undetected if the panels are not removed by a professional. There are other floor coverings that were also made with asbestos.

Find out more with our infographic!

Which night storage heaters contain asbestos?

If your night storage heater is from the 1960s-80s, it may be contaminated with asbestos. Check whether you can find information (manufacturer, serial number, year of manufacture, etc.) about your heater and compare it with the appliances containing asbestos listed here (GER).

What to do if your device appears in the list?
First of all: no need to worry. Fortunately, night storage heaters only have a very low potential to release harmful asbestos fibers into the air - as long as you do not unscrew or repair the heaters yourself. You should carefully consider how to deal with old night storage heaters and ideally replace the appliance with a new one or work with an expert to convert it.

For more information, please visit our subpage on the asbestos analysis of night storage heaters.

Am I allowed to cover asbestos?

Absolutely no. The covering or sealing of asbestos is a prohibited activity under the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. Covering over only postpones the problem and carries the additional risk that asbestos may be unknowingly released during subsequent work in the same place and cause damage without being detected.

You can find more information about the ban on covering asbestos here.

How to dispose of asbestos

Removing asbestos on your own is punishable by law and highly dangerous to your health.  The certificate of competence in accordance with TRGS 519 authorizes you to remove and dispose of asbestos properly. Further information can be found at the municipal trade supervisory office or at the Gesamtverband Schadstoffsanierung.

Asbestos is declared as hazardous waste and can only be disposed of in a landfill once it has been properly packaged. Unauthorized disposal of asbestos is punishable by a fine and - in serious cases - a prison sentence of up to five years.