Asbestos in storage heaters

Do storage heaters contain asbestos?

In relation to asbestos in storage heaters, insulation materials using asbestos were withdrawn in 1973. All storage heaters made from 1975 onwards have mostly been asbestos free.

Asbestos was commonly used as insulation in older storage heaters and widely used in various industries for its heat resistance and durability.

There is a list comprehensively covering all old brands and models suspected to contain asbestos. These heaters are uncommon now. For example Dimplex xl and Dimplex xls models never contained asbestos.

If you purchased an old property, pre 1974 storage heaters may have been installed. If you want to know if your storage heater contains asbestos, you can check from:

the list of manufactured storage heaters that contain asbestos.

Storage heaters are safe if they have not been damaged or dismantled. Asbestos sheets were used inside old storage heater models for fire prevention. Damage to asbestos sheets inside the storage heater could cause microscopic asbestos dust and fibres to be released - understood to cause a type of cancer called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma are caused by prolonged exposure to carcinogenic fibres inhaled deep into the lungs. The difficulty with mesothelioma cancer is the very long latency since exposure, which can last up to about 40 years.

About 4 times more mesothelioma cases happen in men compared to women due to greater exposure in heavy industrial atmosheres like shipbuilding where asbestos usage was common. Heavy industrial and manual work disturbing the material increases risk. It's mostly diagnosed after age of 70. About 3.7% of lung disease related deaths in UK are caused by pleural mesothelioma.

How to remove storage heaters containing asbestos?

Do not dismantle a storage heater to see if you can locate and identify asbestos sheeting! Do not dump it! You will put other people at risk. If you have a storage heater on your premises that you no longer need or want to replace, you should have it inspected and removed by a licensed asbestos removal contractor or health and safety expert. A contractor should hold a current licence issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (as amended in 1998 and subsequent years). If in doubt contact your local council for further advice.

Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release dangerous fibers into the air and increase the risk of exposure.

What does asbestos in storage heaters look like?

Asbestos in old storage heaters is usually found as firm, off-white or pale grey asbestos insulation boards that line the inside of the metal casing around the bricks or as dense white/ grey asbestos paper or tape wrapped around the elements or used as gaskets/seals. It is hard, rigid and resembles thick cardboard or plasterboard, sometimes with a slightly fibrous texture if broken (which you must never do).

The core storage bricks themselves are usually clay-based and asbestos-free, but the surrounding panels, door linings and element insulation can contain white chrysotile asbestos, also known as white asbestos.

Asbestos insulation was used in insulating boards such as “Caposil,” which typically contained amosite or chrysotile asbestos. However, some Caposil boards, particularly those produced after 1975 contain no asbestos. In general, aside from certain “Constor” models, storage heaters manufactured after 1975 were no longer insulated with asbestos.

Specialized asbestos mesothelioma lawyers

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, it's crucial to seek legal assistance. Asbestos manufacturers and negligent companies may be held liable for the harm caused by their products or work practices. Specialized asbestos mesothelioma lawyers have the knowledge and expertise to navigate legal complexities surrounding these cases and help victims obtain the compensation they deserve.

There are solicitors with extensive experience in asbestos litigation with negligent companies. They should have a deep understanding of the medical and scientific aspects of asbestos-related diseases.

Storage heater models containing asbestos