Asbestos-Cement Cladding: Properties, Risks & Regulations

Asbestos-cement cladding is a building material made from asbestos fibers, cement, and water. Widely used in 20th-century construction (especially UK) for durability, fire resistance, low maintenance. Typically contains 5-15% asbestos fibers (usually chrysotile/white asbestos), bound by cement.

When disturbed, fibers release into air and can be inhaled, causing asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma. Use declined after 1980s as health risks became known. UK banned sale/use in 1999. Many buildings still contain it, posing risks to occupants and workers.

If you suspect asbestos-cement cladding, have it inspected by a qualified asbestos surveyor. If present, remove or encapsulate to prevent fiber release.