Asbestos was widely used in Finnish building materials from the 1920s until 1993. It was added to improve strength, heat resistance and fire protection. This article lists the most common asbestos-containing materials and the places where they are usually found.
The most common asbestos-containing materials
Fillers and adhesives
Wall and ceiling fillers are among the most common asbestos sources. Fillers used from the 1960s to the 1980s often contain chrysotile asbestos. Tile adhesives were also manufactured with asbestos, especially dark bitumen-based adhesives.
Floor materials
Vinyl flooring and vinyl tiles are very common asbestos sources. Vinyl flooring and its backing felt installed in the 1960s and 1970s often contain asbestos. Floor tile adhesive can also contain asbestos.
Pipe insulation
In older buildings, heat and water pipe insulation often contains asbestos. Mass insulation and insulation compounds used in pipework installed in the 1950s-1970s are typical asbestos risks.
Board materials
Asbestos cement board, such as Minerit boards, was a very popular building material. It was used in facades, intermediate floors, flue protection and interior cladding. Asbestos was also used in roofing sheets, including corrugated sheets.
Other materials
- Ventilation duct insulation and gaskets
- Fire stops and fire-retardant paints
- Bitumen coatings and waterproofing
- Mortars used in masonry
- Levelling compounds for electrical installations
Locations in the building
Asbestos can be found practically anywhere in an older building:
- Bathroom - tile adhesives, fillers, waterproofing and floor materials
- Kitchen - floor materials, wall fillers and adhesives
- Living rooms and bedrooms - wall and ceiling fillers and floor materials
- Basement - pipe insulation and board materials
- Attic - insulation and fire stops
- Facade - boards, fillers and paints
- Technical rooms - pipe insulation and duct insulation
How can asbestos be identified?
Asbestos cannot be identified visually. The only reliable method is to take a material sample and send it for laboratory analysis. In an asbestos survey, an expert identifies suspected materials and takes samples from each relevant location.