The Risk Of Asbestos In Artex Ceilings

ℹ️ Asbestos is only dangerous if it is disturbed. Read this post if you are planning building work or the removal of textured coatings like artex.

Many buildings have artex and other textured coatings on walls and ceilings. But there may be a hidden danger in these decorative coatings - they may contain asbestos.

When people first hear the word asbestos and find out it could be present in a coating that's often found on the ceilings of bedrooms and living areas of homes, it's normal to be worried about the effect this may have on your health.

The good news is, providing these materials are left undamaged, they are not a threat to your health.

The biggest risk is not the artex itself, but the deadly asbestos fibres that could be in it. These fibres only get released when the material becomes damaged, usually during events like:

• building work
• fixing something to the wall or ceiling
• drilling
• sanding

If you are planning building work, or something that will disturb the material, you need to know if it contains asbestos first.

Does artex contain asbestos?

Yes, artex may contain asbestos, but not always.

Asbestos is most often found in artex from the 60s, 70s and 80s, but any material used or installed before 2000 could contain asbestos.

Asbestos was a popular building material in the past because it was cheap, durable and strong. It was used in thousands of products (including artex) before asbestos was banned fully in the UK in 1999.

Unfortunately, asbestos was still legal when artex was popular during the 60s, 70s, and 80s, so much of the artex used during that period contained asbestos fibres.

Artex and other textured coatings containing asbestos were still being used in construction until asbestos was banned. These products are often found on the walls and ceilings of residential properties.

It's not possible to know if artex contains asbestos just by looking at it. To know for sure, it would need to be sampled and tested by an asbestos surveyor. This is why an asbestos survey is usually needed before building work takes place.

While many artex products contained asbestos, asbestos-free artex was available from the 1970's. However, because you can't tell if it contains asbestos without testing, any artex installed before the ban should be assumed to contain asbestos.

How much asbestos does artex contain?

The quantity of asbestos in artex is relatively low, typically stated as around 1-2%. However, its asbestos content can be as much as 4% with figures from the HSE of 1.8% asbestos for ready-mixed products and around 3.8% asbestos for trade use.

Typically the dry powdered mix for trade use Artex contained about 3.8% w/w of chrysotile asbestos and the ready mixed DIY product (known as W14) contained somewhat less - 1.8%

The type of asbestos found in artex is chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, which wasn't banned in the UK until 1999.

If I have artex in my house, am I at risk?

No. Artex and other textured coatings can contain small amounts of asbestos, but the fibres are well-bonded and not easily released.

Artex is often found on ceilings, so it is not easily damaged during normal building occupation, and providing the artex is not damaged you are not at risk.

Asbestos is only a risk to health when the fibres are released and breathed into your lungs.

Asbestos-containing products can remain in properties without risk to your health, as long as they are not damaged.

How do I know if my artex contains asbestos?

All forms of asbestos were banned by 1999, so asbestos may be part of any building which was built or refurbished before the year 2000.

The only way to be 100% sure if asbestos is present is to have the artex tested by an asbestos surveyor.

If you are planning to have construction or maintenance work done on your property, and the artex is likely to be disturbed, you should have a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey done. This survey will identify if asbestos is present. If asbestos is found, this will need to be addressed and either removed or protected before work can commence.

Do I need a licensed contractor?

Some asbestos can be removed by a non-licensed contractor, in small quantities or if it is low-risk work.

Removing textured coatings, like artex, is non-licensed work, but this doesn't mean it is safe or that no controls need to be in place. You need to be asbestos trained for this work.

Some non-licensed work, where the risk of fibre release is greater, is considered notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW), and subject to additional requirements including notification of the work to the HSE, warning notices and medical examinations.

Removal of large areas of textured coatings can be classed as NNLW.

Need help creating a safe system of work? Use the artex removal method statement template to get started.

Asbestos is a high-risk material. Safety measures such as damping down and PPE will be required, along with appropriate cleaning and disposal of asbestos waste.

If the artex coating covers other asbestos materials, like asbestos insulating board (AIB) then a licensed contractor will be needed.

What if I want to do the work myself?

You shouldn't carry out any work on asbestos unless you have had the appropriate asbestos training, even for non-licensed asbestos work. If you do decide to proceed with small amounts of non-licensed work yourself, you need to make sure you wear suitable PPE and follow a safe working procedure.

The HSE published a number of asbestos task sheets online, with guides that should be followed to minimise the risk to yourself and other people.

Licensed asbestos work is a significantly hazardous job needing additional precautions including enclosures, specialist respiratory protective equipment (RPE), monitoring, supervision, and medical surveillance, and should only be carried out by licensed contractors.

What does the law say?

Although asbestos is banned, the law doesn't say it must be removed. It does say it must be managed, and that when it is removed, it must be removed in a highly controlled way.

Because asbestos is such a high-risk material, it has its own set of regulations. The Control of Asbestos Regulations put legal duties on everything from the management of asbestos materials to its removal and disposal.

PART 2 General requirements

• Regulation 4 - Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises
• Regulation 5 - Identification of the presence of asbestos
• Regulation 6 - Assessment of work which exposes employees to asbestos
• Regulation 7 - Plans of work
• Regulation 8 - Licensing of work with asbestos
• Regulation 9 - Notification of work with asbestos
• Regulation 10 - Information, instruction and training
• Regulation 11 - Prevention or reduction of exposure to asbestos
• Regulation 12 - Use of control measures etc
• Regulation 13 - Maintenance of control measures etc
• Regulation 14 - Provision and cleaning of protective clothing
• Regulation 15 - Arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies
• Regulation 16 - Duty to prevent or reduce the spread of asbestos
• Regulation 17 - Cleanliness of premises and plant
• Regulation 18 - Designated areas
• Regulation 19 - Air monitoring
• Regulation 20 - Standards for air testing and site clearance certification
• Regulation 21 - Standards for analysis
• Regulation 22 - Health records and medical surveillance
• Regulation 23 - Washing and changing facilities
• Regulation 24 - Storage, distribution and labelling of raw asbestos and asbestos waste

If you are planning construction work, you need to let any contractors know the location of any asbestos-containing materials.

All building work should have a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey, which involves taking samples of the areas that will be affected by the works, to check for asbestos.

Remember, providing artex is in good condition, there is no increased risk to your health. If you are planning building work, or want to get your artex ceiling removed, you can get advice from an environmental health office, the HSE, or asbestos an specialist, to safely plan the work and prevent accidental asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-related cancers and diseases can take years to develop, but when they do develop they are often fatal and there is no cure. So be safe, and if you work in construction, be asbestos aware.

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If you need to check your building for asbestos, find out what type of asbestos survey you need and contact a local asbestos surveyor. If you are worried about asbestos-related symptoms contact your GP.