What is asbestos millboard (and what was it used for)?

During the period between the mid-19th century when asbestos first began to be commercially mined, and late 1999 when all forms of the mineral were banned in the UK, asbestos was incorporated into literally thousands of products. These encompassed the likes of asbestos cement roof tiles, asbestos gaskets, thermal insulation (lagging), and textured decorative coatings, to cite a few examples.

However, one extensively used asbestos-containing material (ACM) that isn’t always greatly talked about or understood today, is asbestos millboard. This is despite asbestos boards and millboards being potentially found almost anywhere in a UK building that was constructed or renovated during the time when asbestos was legal to use.

In common with the situation for other ACMs, this period of legal use for asbestos millboard came to an end due to intensifying concerns about the potential health risks for those who came into contact with this product.

So, in this article, we will take a closer look at what asbestos millboard actually is. We will also consider the purposes for which it was used, and the aspects you will need to think about when identifying and managing this ACM in a property for which you are responsible.

What is asbestos millboard?

The term “asbestos millboard” is typically used in reference to an asbestos board comprising asbestos fibre blended with a matrix of clay and starch.

Asbestos millboard was generally used for heat insulation and fire protection, which were among the widely admired qualities of asbestos that led to this fibrous silicate mineral being used for so many other products. Asbestos millboard was also used to insulate electrical equipment and plants, such as blow heaters.

A soft and low-density material, asbestos millboard often consisted of quite a high level of asbestos, making up around 37% to 97% of the overall product. Crocidolite (or “blue”) asbestos was used for the manufacture of some asbestos millboard from the late 19th century until 1965. Otherwise, it was generally chrysotile (“white”) asbestos that was used to make this product.

What does asbestos millboard look like?

You might be interested in looking though our image gallery which sets out what asbestos millboard and asbestos insulating board can look like. Asbestos boards tend to be light and dark grey, although some other colours – such as pink – can occasionally be evident in these ACMs. Asbestos board was also sometimes painted with an outer coloured finish.

The combination of high asbestos content and low density that is typical of asbestos millboard, as well as the fact that even the youngest asbestos millboard is now several decades old, means there may be very noticeable signs of abrasion and wear on the surface.

In truth, asbestos boards are liable to vary in appearance due to such factors as their specific composition and what they were used for in the building where they were installed. So, you cannot depend on visual inspection alone as a means of verifying whether a given material – such as suspected asbestos millboard – definitely contains asbestos.

What was asbestos millboard used for?

The broad range of historical applications for asbestos millboard – encompassing various industries and settings – reflects the reputation the mineral long enjoyed as a versatile “wonder material”, during the years before its adverse risks to health became undeniable.

Asbestos millboard products were used for such purposes as thermal and acoustic insulation, fireproofing, and heat shielding. They were present in the likes of furnaces, electrical panels, stove linings, window panels, fire doors, soffits, service ducts, and even roof underlay.

How can you identify asbestos millboard?

As we referenced above, examination of a suspected asbestos millboard product for certain classic visual signs – such as a light or dark grey colour, or noticeable abrasion and wear – can be one way to help identify it.

Alongside this, you might be fortunate enough to source certain documentation providing insights into whether the given product is, indeed, asbestos millboard. Examples of these include any records from past construction or renovation projects, as well as any asbestos reports from previous asbestos surveys carried out at the property.

Indeed, if you wish to confirm whether any given item in your residential, commercial, or industrial building contains asbestos, you will need to arrange for professional surveys and assessments at some stage.

If you arrange for a professional surveyor to visit your site, they will be able to draw upon their knowledge and experience to identify materials they suspect to contain asbestos. In the case of suspected asbestos millboard, you can expect them to take a sample that will then undergo laboratory analysis.

Alternatively, you might feel confident enough to take a sample of the suspected ACM yourself, which may make our asbestos sample testing and analysis service of interest to you. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that an asbestos licence isn’t needed in order to capture a sample.

However, you should only attempt to take your own asbestos sample if the material has already broken off and you are not at any risk of spreading debris or coming into contact with the asbestos fibres. Ultimately, we would always advise against you taking any unnecessary risks.

How dangerous is asbestos millboard?

In common with other common ACMs such as asbestos insulating board, asbestos cement products, and asbestos vinyl floor tiles, asbestos millboard is believed to pose negligible risk to health in a building if it is in good condition and undisturbed.

Unfortunately, in the event of such disturbance occurring – for example, during a renovation or demolition project – combined with the deterioration that often happens to ACMs over time, there could be a chance of loose asbestos particles being released from the millboard. Someone nearby may then be at risk of breathing in or swallowing the barely visible asbestos fibres, which could then become lodged in the exposed individual’s lungs.

It is of critical importance to prevent or minimise any such incidents of asbestos exposure, in accordance with the stringent requirements now applicable in the UK under legislation such as the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012).

If someone is exposed to asbestos in this way, they could be at risk of developing a potentially fatal asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, many years or even decades later. Asbestos-related health conditions like these still cause around 5,000 deaths a year in the UK.

We mentioned earlier that asbestos millboard is a soft and low-density material with an often-high level of asbestos content, accounting for up to 97% of the overall product in some cases. These factors mean asbestos millboard is not only quite easy to break, but also very susceptible to wear and abrasion over time.

Furthermore, during asbestos millboard’s period of legal use in the UK during the 20th century, the product often needed to be cut, ripped, or sanded. Such operations, of course, inevitably caused the almost certainly dangerous release of asbestos dust.

Factors like the above underscore that asbestos millboard can be very dangerous to handle. So, it is important to consider how accredited and licensed asbestos professionals could advise and assist you throughout the process of managing this ACM at your site.

Do you need a licence to remove asbestos millboard?

There is no general requirement in UK law for any and all asbestos materials at a given property to be removed. However, you might make the decision to remove asbestos millboard from your premises if the health risks to building occupants and users are judged to be especially high (for example, because the material is deteriorating or located in a part of the building that makes it highly vulnerable to being disturbed).

HSE cites work on asbestos millboard as an example of “licensable” asbestos work – in other words, work that can only be done by a contractor holding a licence from the regulator. Ultimately, any decision on whether any particular work activity with asbestos is licensable will need to be based on the risk the given activity presents.

CAR 2012 provides further information on what constitutes “licensable” asbestos work. Such work requires a licence, for example, where the exposure of workers to asbestos will not be sporadic and of low intensity, and where the risk assessment cannot clearly demonstrate the control limit will not be exceeded.

If you are classed as a “dutyholder” for a non-domestic property under Regulation 4 of CAR 2012, you will have certain legal responsibilities in relation to the management of ACMs at the site. This “duty to manage” applies to whoever is in charge of maintenance for the given building, such as a property owner or manager.

We have written in the past about how you can ensure you choose the right asbestos removal company to oversee the removal of asbestos millboard and other ACMs from your property. When making your decision on an asbestos removal company, you are advised to take into account such factors as licensing, industry accreditations, insurance, and the given company’s experience and knowhow.

What should you do if you suspect asbestos millboard?

If you unexpectedly discover materials in your building that you suspect to be asbestos millboard or another ACM, your first response should be to immediately cease any work being carried out in that location. This will allow you to arrange for testing of the materials, so that you can confirm whether it is indeed asbestos, and make informed decisions in light of this.

While you are waiting for the results of this testing, it is crucial to prevent anyone from entering the part of the building where the suspected ACM is present, unless they’re wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

If it does turn out that the given product contains asbestos, it will be a good idea to get in touch with a licensed asbestos contractor, so that they can advise you on what steps to take next. Suitable controls will need to be implemented to help ensure safety and legal compliance, although as we stated above, this might not necessarily entail removal of the millboard.

Conclusion: it is vital to be alert to the risks of asbestos millboard

With asbestos millboard and other forms of asbestos board having been so extensively used in UK residential, commercial, and industrial buildings during the 20th century, if your own property dates to before the year 2000, you will need to be mindful of the possible presence of this ACM. This means you may need to take certain measures to legally and safely manage the material.

Engaging the services of well-qualified asbestos experts, including professional consultants, surveyors, and removal contractors, will go a long way to ensuring you deal with suspected or confirmed asbestos millboard on your site in a sensible and responsible way.

To find out more about any of Oracle Solutions’ asbestos services and to request a fast and free quote, you are welcome to call or email our team today.