UKATA Asbestos Types and Properties 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Amphibole asbestos fibres are characterised by what shape?
- Curly and flexible
- Straight and needle-like (Correct answer)
- Flat and plate-like
- Round and spherical
Correct answer: Straight and needle-like
Amphibole asbestos fibres (amosite and crocidolite) are straight and needle-like, making them particularly dangerous as they can penetrate deep into lung tissue. Serpentine fibres (chrysotile) are curly and flexible.
Question 2: In which decade did the UK see the peak usage of asbestos in construction?
- 1940s
- 1960s-1970s (Correct answer)
- 1980s
- 1990s
Correct answer: 1960s-1970s
Asbestos use in UK construction peaked during the 1960s and 1970s. Buildings constructed or refurbished during this period are most likely to contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
Question 3: What does the term 'friable' mean when describing asbestos-containing materials?
- The material is fireproof
- The material can be easily crumbled by hand pressure (Correct answer)
- The material is safely encapsulated
- The material contains less than 1% asbestos
Correct answer: The material can be easily crumbled by hand pressure
Friable asbestos materials can be crumbled, pulverised, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. This is particularly dangerous as it means fibres can be easily released into the air.
Question 4: Which of the following products is LEAST likely to contain asbestos?
- Artex ceiling coating applied in 1975
- Floor tiles installed in 1970
- A solid wood internal door from 1965 (Correct answer)
- Pipe lagging from 1968
Correct answer: A solid wood internal door from 1965
A solid wood door would not contain asbestos. However, Artex coatings, floor tiles, and pipe lagging from the 1960s-70s are all common asbestos-containing materials found in UK buildings.
Question 5: What is the typical fibre diameter range of asbestos that makes it dangerous to health?
- 1-5 millimetres
- 0.1-0.5 millimetres
- Less than 3 micrometres (Correct answer)
- 10-50 micrometres
Correct answer: Less than 3 micrometres
Asbestos fibres less than 3 micrometres in diameter are respirable, meaning they can penetrate deep into the lungs. These fibres are invisible to the naked eye and can remain suspended in the air for hours.
Question 6: Asbestos cement products typically contain what percentage of asbestos?
- 1-5%
- 10-15% (Correct answer)
- 40-50%
- Over 80%
Correct answer: 10-15%
Asbestos cement products typically contain 10-15% asbestos fibres mixed with cement. While this is a relatively low percentage, the material can still release dangerous fibres when cut, drilled, or damaged.
UKATA Asbestos Types and Properties 2
Amphibole asbestos fibres are characterised by what shape?