The 6 types at a glance
Six naturally occurring minerals are classified as asbestos. All six are confirmed Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO, 2012). There is no safe level of exposure to any of them.
| Type | Common name | Colour | Danger level | UK products | Licensed removal? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysotile | White asbestos | White/grey | High | Cement sheets, floor tiles, artex, gaskets, brake pads | Depends on product |
| Amosite | Brown asbestos | Brown/grey | Very high | Insulation board, pipe lagging, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation | Usually yes |
| Crocidolite | Blue asbestos | Blue/dark blue | Extreme | Sprayed coatings, pipe insulation, some cement products | Always yes |
| Tremolite | — | White/green | Very high | Contaminant in other minerals, some talc, vermiculite | Yes |
| Actinolite | — | Green/grey | Very high | Rare in UK buildings; found as contaminant | Yes |
| Anthophyllite | — | Brown/yellow | High | Very rare in UK; some Finnish/Russian imports | Yes |
In practice, UK buildings contain almost exclusively chrysotile, amosite, or crocidolite. The other three appear occasionally as contaminants in other minerals but are rarely the primary component of a building product.
Chrysotile (white asbestos)
Chrysotile accounts for approximately 95% of all asbestos ever used in UK buildings. It belongs to the serpentine mineral family — its fibres are curly and layered, unlike the needle-like fibres of the amphibole types.
Found in:
- Cement roofing sheets and flat boards (garages, soffits, gutters)
- Floor tiles and the adhesive beneath them
- Textured decorative coatings (Artex ceilings and walls)
- Gaskets, rope seals, and brake pads
- Some plasters and renders
Chrysotile is sometimes called the "less dangerous" asbestos. That's misleading. It causes mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer — the same fatal diseases as the other types. The HSE's position is clear: all types of asbestos are dangerous. Chrysotile simply causes disease at a statistically lower rate per fibre than amosite or crocidolite. But because it's everywhere — in millions of UK buildings — it actually causes the most total deaths.
Chrysotile was banned in the UK on 24 November 1999. For information on where to find it in your home, see our identification guide.
Amosite (brown asbestos)
Amosite is the second most common type in UK buildings, accounting for roughly 4–5% of asbestos used. It belongs to the amphibole family — its fibres are straight, sharp, and needle-like, making them particularly effective at penetrating lung tissue.
Found in:
- Asbestos insulating board (AIB) — used behind boilers, in fire doors, and as wall linings
- Pipe and boiler lagging
- Ceiling tiles (especially in commercial buildings and schools)
- Thermal insulation in walls and lofts
Amosite is significantly more hazardous than chrysotile on a fibre-for-fibre basis. Products containing amosite — particularly insulation board and lagging — almost always require licensed removal under CAR 2012. The HSE must be notified 14 days before work begins.
Amosite was banned in the UK in 1985, along with crocidolite.
Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Crocidolite is the most dangerous form of asbestos. Its fibres are extremely fine — thin enough to penetrate deep into the alveoli of the lungs — and the body cannot break them down or expel them. Once inhaled, crocidolite fibres stay in lung tissue permanently.
Found in:
- Sprayed coatings on structural steelwork (fire protection)
- Pipe insulation (especially in industrial settings)
- Some cement products (less common than chrysotile)
- Acid-resistant gaskets and laboratory equipment
Crocidolite has the highest mesothelioma risk per fibre of any asbestos type. According to HSE data, workers exposed to crocidolite have 500 times the background risk of mesothelioma. Even brief exposure can be fatal decades later.
It was banned in the UK in 1985. Any crocidolite removal is automatically classified as licensed work. For full details on UK asbestos law, see our regulations guide.
The 3 rarer types
Tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite are rarely found as the primary component of UK building products. They appear mainly as contaminants in other minerals:
- Tremolite has been found as a contaminant in some chrysotile deposits, talcum powder, and vermiculite insulation (notably from the Libby, Montana mine). If your loft has loose-fill vermiculite insulation, it should be tested.
- Actinolite occurs as a contaminant in crushed rock and aggregate. Rarely encountered in UK domestic buildings.
- Anthophyllite was used in some Finnish and Eastern European building products. If your property contains imported materials from these regions (pre-1999), testing is advisable.
All three are classified as Group 1 carcinogens and require licensed removal when found. Their rarity in UK buildings means most surveyors encounter them infrequently, but a UKAS-accredited laboratory can identify any of the six types from a standard sample.
Which types require licensed removal?
The licensing requirement under CAR 2012 depends on the product, not just the asbestos type. Here's the breakdown:
| Product type | Typical asbestos content | Work category |
|---|---|---|
| Sprayed coatings | Crocidolite, amosite | Licensed |
| Pipe/boiler lagging | Amosite, chrysotile | Licensed |
| Asbestos insulating board (AIB) | Amosite, chrysotile | Licensed (if not in good condition) or NNLW |
| Cement sheets (roofing, soffits) | Chrysotile | Non-licensed |
| Floor tiles | Chrysotile | Non-licensed |
| Textured coatings (Artex) | Chrysotile | Non-licensed |
| Gaskets, rope seals | Chrysotile | Non-licensed |
NNLW = Notifiable Non-Licensed Work. This is a middle category — the work doesn't need an HSE licence, but you must notify the HSE and keep health records. It applies to certain work with AIB and some other products.
Whatever the type, if you need removal work in Birmingham, compare quotes from licensed local contractors. For costs, see our removal cost guide.