Asbestos guide
Asbestos is the collective name for six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. It was used widely in Finnish building materials because the fibres withstand heat, chemicals and wear.
Key facts
6
recognised asbestos minerals
1920–1994
period of widespread use in Finland
JEOL SEM-EDS
the analysis instrument OneLab uses
Short answer
In intact, undisturbed material the fibres normally stay bound. The risk arises when asbestos-containing material breaks, is sanded, drilled or demolished and microscopic fibres are released into the air you breathe. A material’s asbestos content is confirmed by laboratory analysis.
Topics
Chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, actinolite and tremolite.
Tile adhesives, fillers, vinyl flooring, pipe insulation and many other older materials.
When a material becomes a hazard and what to do before renovation work.
What Finnish law requires regarding asbestos surveys and demolition safety.
01
Definition
Asbestos fibres are strong, non-combustible and highly resistant to heat and chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos was added to many building products. In Finland it was used from the 1920s until the ban in 1994.
02
Health
The hazard comes from respirable fibres. Drilling, sanding, sawing or demolishing the material can release fibres into the air. Diseases linked to asbestos exposure often develop over a long period, so dust formation must be prevented in advance.
03
Identification
The year of construction, the material type and the product name help assess the risk, but a definitive answer comes only from laboratory analysis of a representative material sample. If a demolition project may involve asbestos removal work, the party directing or supervising the project is responsible for the asbestos survey.
Frequently asked questions
Order the analysis online, send the sample by post or bring it to the laboratory, and you will get the result on the day it arrives.
