Asbestos became one of the most prolific building and construction materials available during the 20th century, and one of the more unexpected places it could occasionally be found was in wallpaper.

Why Was Asbestos Used in Wallpaper?

Asbestos was added to wallpaper primarily to add durability and moisture resistance, but it also made it fireproof due to its thermal insulation properties. When it was used in wallpaper, it was usually in the production of vinyl wallpaper, which was used for bathrooms and kitchens, where being moisture resistant and wipeable made it the perfect choice.

What Does Asbestos Wallpaper Look Like?

There are some indicators which may suggest you are looking at asbestos wallpaper however the only way to know for sure is to have a sample of material sampled and tested in a UKAS accredited laboratory:

• Thickness – Asbestos wallpaper was usually thicker than normal wallpaper
• Vinyl (plasticky or shiny) – Asbestos was mostly used in vinyl wallpaper
• Curling – The paper may curl at the edges or joints
• Backing – The backing will be a papery or fibrous material
• Patterning – If you are looking at old, textured wallpaper, asbestos may be present

Identifying Asbestos in Wallpaper

Identifying asbestos in wallpaper is impossible without a survey or sample of the material.

An indicator if the paper does contain asbestos can be its age. You can also look for a manufacturer’s name. Companies that occasionally produced asbestos wallpaper in the UK included:

• Turner & Newall
• Cape Asbestos
• Ferodo Limited
• Marinite Co.
• John Brown and Company
• JW Roberts Limited
• Washington Chemical Company
• TBA Industrial Products
• Turners Asbestos Cement
• Newalls Insulation Company Limited
• Anaglypta

What Should You Do if You Suspect Asbestos in Your Wallpaper?

The only way to safely confirm the presence of asbestos in wallpaper is by consulting with professional asbestos surveyors to undertake a survey or sample.

EMS, conduct a range of survey types including asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys. Potential Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) will be identified and samples taken for laboratory analysis.

Safely Test and Remove Asbestos Wallpaper with EMS 

At EMS, our expert team can help you safely identify and remove asbestos wallpaper.

Since 2003, we have been conducting comprehensive, UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys across the UK. To book your survey call us on 01432 263333, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form here.

FAQs

Does Anaglypta wallpaper contain asbestos?

Anaglypta is a British wallpaper brand that occasionally produced asbestos wallpaper during the 20^th century.