Asbestos insulating board (AIB), also known by the trade names Asbestolux and Turnabestos, is an
asbestos
Asbestos () is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. There are six types, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, each fibre being composed of many microscopic "fibrils" that can be released into the atmosphere b ...
-containing board formerly used in
construction for its
fire resistance and
insulating properties. These boards were commonly used in the
United Kingdom from the 1950s until production ended in 1980. AIB is 16-35% asbestos, typically a blend of
amosite
Grunerite is a mineral of the amphibole group of minerals with formula Fe7 Si8 O22( OH)2. It is the iron endmember of the grunerite-cummingtonite series. It forms as fibrous, columnar or massive aggregates of crystals. The crystals are monoclin ...
and
chrysotile, though
crocidolite was also used in early boards.
AIB is softer, more porous and less dense than
asbestos cement. This, and the fact it typically contains a greater proportion of asbestos than the 10-15% of asbestos cement, makes AIB far more
friable and thus at greater risk of releasing asbestos fibres if boards are damaged or removed. The inhalation of loose asbestos fibres is linked to various health conditions affecting the lungs, including
asbestosis,
lung cancer and malignant
mesothelioma.
AIB can slightly resemble polystyrene or general plaster / insulation boarding at first glance, but it’s vital not to confuse the two. Once disturbed or damaged, asbestos fibres can become airborne, which is dangerous for anyone in the vicinity.
References
Building insulation materials
Asbestos
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