Bitumen Asbestos
Up until 1992 bitumen products would often include Chrysotile white asbestos fibres. These were used as a binding agent to keep the matrix together. The concentration of asbestos was relatively low but aignificantly the sticky nature of the product means that the chances of fibre release are low even when the material is disturbed.
The most common use of asbestos bitumen is in sink pads which were used under stainless steel sinks to reduce the noise caused by running water. However, asbestos bitumen was also used in roofing felt, tile adhesive, damp courses, flashings and bitumen mastics (often referred to as bitumastics).
| Table 1.Asbestos bitumen overview |
| Period Used |
Up until 1992 |
Location |
Roofs, floors, external walls, under stainless steel sinks |
| Asbestos Types |
Chrysotile |
Use |
Mastic, adhesive, roof felt, sink pads |
| Content |
10% (higher if contains asbestos paper) |
Risk (High, Medium or Low) |
Low |