UK Asbestos imports...the facts.
The History of Asbestos Bans in the UK
In the United Kingdom, despite growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos and its associated diseases—as well as concerns from doctors and medical researchers, such as the placement of asbestosis on medical registers in 1927—a voluntary asbestos import ban wasn’t introduced until 1970.
The Scale of Asbestos Imports
At this time, asbestos imports into the UK were at their peak, reaching nearly 155,000 tons. This was a significant increase from just over 95,000 tons in the 1940s. The voluntary ban introduced in 1970 allowed UK manufacturing industries to halt the import of blue asbestos (crocidolite), which was known to be the most dangerous form of asbestos.
However, crocidolite made up a small proportion of the asbestos being imported into the country—just over 560 tons—compared to more than 132,000 tons of white chrysotile asbestos. Crocidolite, which was mainly mined in South Africa, represented only 3 percent of global asbestos production at the time, but its hazardous nature was already well known.
The Shift in Asbestos Bans
A decade later, in 1980, the UK introduced another voluntary ban, this time focusing on brown asbestos (amosite). Just 500 tons of brown asbestos were imported that year, compared to over 94,100 tons of white asbestos. While the brown and blue forms of asbestos were being phased out, white asbestos continued to be widely used in industries across the country.
Enforcement of Asbestos Prohibition Regulations
By 1985, the Asbestos Prohibition Regulations replaced the voluntary bans with an enforced prohibition on the import and use of both blue and brown asbestos. However, by this time, over 37,600 tons of white asbestos were still being imported into the UK each year. Industries continued to rely on white asbestos for its affordability and versatility, despite growing concerns over its health risks.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that white asbestos started to be phased out, culminating in the total ban on its use in 1999. Despite these bans, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) continued to be used in buildings across the country until the final prohibition, meaning that many older properties still contain asbestos today.
The Legacy of Asbestos in the UK
The history of asbestos use in the UK shows just how long it took for regulatory bodies to fully ban this hazardous material, despite clear evidence of its dangers. Today, asbestos remains a hidden risk in many buildings constructed before the 2000s, posing significant health risks to workers and residents who may be exposed to it during renovations or maintenance.
Need to Know More?
Are you concerned about asbestos in your workplace or property? Do you need to know more about how asbestos was used, where it may be hiding, and the dangers it poses to you and your employees?
The Asbestos Specialists offer industry-leading UKATA approved asbestos awareness training courses that provide the knowledge and skills you need to safely identify and manage asbestos-containing materials.
Call us today or book online to complete one of our e-learning courses. Protect yourself and your employees from asbestos exposure and ensure compliance with UK regulations.
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