The short answer
The three types you’ll hear about are chrysotile (white), amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue). Imports of blue and brown asbestos were banned in the UK in 1985, and the ban was extended to white asbestos in 1999 (UKHSA’s general information on asbestos). All types can cause cancer when the fibres are breathed in.
For homeowners, the type matters less than the material and its condition. A lab report will tell you the type, but you’ll decide what to do based on what the material is and whether it’s being disturbed.
Two families of asbestos
Asbestos minerals fall into two groups:
- Serpentine: one mineral, chrysotile. Its fibres are soft, flexible and curly.
- Amphibole: crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite. Their fibres are straighter and needle-like.
Chrysotile (white asbestos)
The most widely used type. It was common in asbestos cement roofs, sheets, pipes and tanks, in textured coatings such as Artex, in floor tiles, and in many other products. HSE guidance says textured coatings normally contained 2–5% chrysotile. It was the last type banned in the UK, in 1999, which is why “built before 2000” is the rule of thumb for homes.
Amosite (brown asbestos)
Amosite was used widely in asbestos insulating board (AIB), ceiling tiles and thermal insulation, and sometimes in cement products. It is an amphibole and is considered more hazardous than chrysotile. Its import was banned in 1985.
Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
UKHSA describes crocidolite as the most commonly used amphibole. It turned up in sprayed coatings, pipe insulation and some cement products. It is generally regarded as the most hazardous type. Its import was banned in 1985.
The other three
Tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite were rarely used on their own in UK building products. They can occur as contaminants in other minerals and are sometimes found in lab results.
Is one type safe?
No. UKHSA says chrysotile fibres are “far less hazardous than the amphibole type”, but all forms of asbestos can cause cancer when inhaled. That is why white asbestos was banned too. Mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening can all follow exposure, usually decades later. If you are worried about past exposure, talk to your GP. See NHS guidance on mesothelioma.
Why condition matters more than type
You can’t tell the type by colour. Products were often coloured or painted, and white, brown and blue are just the raw fibre names. Only lab analysis tells you the type.
For a homeowner, what matters most is:
- The material. Cement and floor tiles hold fibres tightly. Lagging, sprayed coatings and insulating board release them more easily.
- Its condition. Sound, sealed materials release little. Damaged, crumbling or weathered ones release more.
- What you plan to do. Leaving it alone is very different from drilling, sanding or demolishing.
The law reflects this. If the type is unknown, workers must assume the asbestos is not white asbestos alone and use controls to match (regulation 5). Whether work is licensed depends mainly on the material and the job, not just the type. See licensed vs non-licensed work.
Quick answers
Is blue asbestos always blue?
No. The names refer to the raw fibres. In a product, the colour is usually hidden by cement, paint or binder.
When was asbestos banned in the UK?
Blue and brown asbestos imports were banned in 1985, and white asbestos in 1999. See when was asbestos banned?
How do I find out which type I have?
Have a sample analysed by a lab accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. We take samples. See asbestos testing.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For the law itself, see the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE’s asbestos pages. Not sure what you’re dealing with? Ask us.