Why is asbestos in Artex?
It may surprise you to know that it is nothing to do with fireproofing. In fact until the mid-1980s, the Artex ceiling coating was made with white asbestos to strengthen it. Its function being similar to that of the glass fibres that strengthen the plastic in fiberglass. This means that only old artex manufactured by Artex Ltd will contain asbestos and most probably any artex applied within the last 25 years will not contain any harmful material whatsoever. It is also worth noting that the asbestos is only harmful when in a dry, friable, or powder form (i.e. when being sanded or chipped off) and poses no risk whatsoever while it is undisturbed on ceilings or walls and covered with emulsion paint. According to the artex.co.uk website (”Asbestos in Artex” section), some of the lesser-known manufacturers were still adding asbestos to their products as late as 1999 so testing is generally appropriate before contemplating removal.
Inhaling microscopic asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma - defined by the World Health Organization as cancers - so anyone removing the coating or working with a surface covered with it should wear protective clothing and masks – and the area being worked on should be sealed off. Removal of Artex is covered by the UK’s Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 2006, which make it illegal (if it contains asbestos) for a contractor not licensed by the country’s Health and Safety Executive to undertake most work on asbestos coatings. Once removed, Artex and any other substance containing asbestos must be disposed of as hazardous waste. If the coating is left alone and coated with paint and undamaged, it may be safe to leave the coating in place and manage the risk ‘in situ’ by annual inspection. Plastering over the coating may ensure it is safely encapsulated.
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