plasters, Artex, trowelled materials and paintings
according to new draft VDI 3866 sheet 5, SBH method
Be careful when renovating or refurbishing old buildings, because asbestos can still be found in many building materials. Experts estimate that asbestos is present in 90% of buildings built between 1960 and 1990! For example, asbestos was used in plasters on walls or in tile adhesives in bathrooms and kitchens. Filling compounds, e.g. of plasterboard, may also contain asbestos. If tiles are damaged and knocked off during construction work, carcinogenic asbestos fibers can be released. To protect yourself, you should always have your materials tested for asbestos before renovating or refurbishing.
Are you looking for an experienced laboratory for an asbestos test of plaster, filler, tile adhesive or paint layers? CRB will test old building materials for you quickly and reliably. Simply send in a sample and in three to four days you will know for sure whether your building material contains asbestos.
Our services for you
- analysis for asbestos carried out by qualified scientists in our own accredited laboratory
- fast processing time, approx. 3-4 days after sample receipt
- court-proof analysis
- regular participation in collaborative studies in the field of asbestos analysis
Costs for the analysis for asbestos in plasters, trowlled on materials and paintings...
... depend on the complexity of the sample preparation and the type of analysis (qualitative or quantitative)
sample price from 172,55 € incl. 19 % VAT.
Frequently asked questions about these asbestos deposits
Where can the asbestos-containing materials be found?
In most cases, asbestos is not visible to the naked eye. For example, contaminated material may have been concealed under asbestos-free products.
Plasters or fillers containing asbestos can be found inside and outside buildings, in wall coverings, masonry or wall plaster.
Adhesive containing asbestos was often used to install bathroom or kitchen tiles. Of course, asbestos was used in many other materials as well - such as insulation boards or window putties.
What types of asbestos are found in plasters and tile adhesives?
The asbestos types chrysotile, anthophyllite and actinolite tremolite are found in these building materials.
What is the asbestos content in plasters, fillers or tile adhesives?
The asbestos content in plasters and tile adhesives may be trace levels of up to several percent asbestos. In any case, a detection-sensitive analysis procedure is required: VDI 3866 part 5, appendix B.
Until when was asbestos used in plasters, tile adhesives and fillers?
Asbestos was not banned in Germany until 1993, so houses built or renovated before 1993 can be expected to still contain asbestos in plasters, tile adhesives, paint coats or fillers.
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How to recognize asbestos in tile adhesives or putties?
Identifying asbestos by appearance is difficult - especially since the mineral is usually found in bound form in building materials. If you want to be sure whether a building material contains asbestos, in most cases only an asbestos test will help.
How is the analysis of plasters, fillers and tile adhesives carried out?
The analysis of plasters, fillers and tile adhesives places special demands on the laboratory analysis, since the plasters, fillers and tile adhesives to be analyzed usually have asbestos contents of < 1 %, the asbestos in the sample material may be present in a polymeric matrix or the asbestos may be covered by other polymeric aggregates, the sample material must be prepared for laboratory analysis by homogenization, ashing and acid treatment.
Here we offer 2 detection-sensitive examination methods:
- Qualitative examination according to VDI 3866, sheet 5:2017-06, appendix B: Preparation: ashing, acid treatment, filtration from a suspension onto a core pore filter.Result qualitative with a mass estimation of the amount of asbestos according to the mass content classes of VDI 3866, Sheet 5, detection limit of the method 0.001 mass percent.
- Quantitative examination according to VDI 3866, sheet 5:2017-06, appendix B following IFA/BIA method 7487: Preparation: ashing, acid treatment, filtration from a suspension onto a core pore filter. Result quantitative with an indication of the asbestos concentration in mass percent. Detection limit of the method 0.001 mass percent.
What are the hazards of asbestos in building materials?
If asbestos is bound, there is no danger. But it becomes dangerous when the materials are damaged and asbestos fibers are released. Inhaling asbestos fibers decades later can still lead to deadly diseases, such as asbestosis or pleural cancer.
Therefore, be especially careful if you are considering doing a bathroom renovation or remodel. For example, drilling into plaster poses a risk of asbestos release. The adhesive under old bathroom tiles is most likely to contain asbestos, and high levels of asbestos may be present in indoor air if tiles are damaged and asbestos fibers are released.
How to dispose of materials containing asbestos?
Have old, asbestos-contaminated building materials removed and disposed of by a specialist company. The company must be able to show certification that the asbestos-containing waste is being handled properly and that the necessary protective measures for handling asbestos are being observed.
Thus, not only the removal but also the disposal of the hazardous waste must be undertaken in a professional manner. Appropriate protective precautions and measures are required to avoid inhalation of asbestos fibers.
SBH-method
The SBH-method is a procedure developed by the Schulbau Hamburg and has been successfully implemented to analyse potentially asbestos-containing plasters and fillers.Single or mixed samples are prepared by ashing at 400° C and acid treatment in order to concentrate the asbestos content in the sample.
In July, 2015 the SBH-method was accounted for and described in the draft of the recast of guideline VDI 3866. It was enlarged upon in the discussion paper Diskussionspapier des VDI und Gesamtverband Schadstoffsanierung e.V. zu Erkundung, Bewertung und Sanierung asbesthaltiger Putze, Spachtelmassen und Fliesenkleber in Gebäuden von Juni 2015 (“On exploration, evaluation and restructuring of asbestos-containing plasters, fillers and tile adhesives in buildings”, published 2015 by VDI and Gesamtverband Schadstoffsanierung e.V.).
We have been analysing critical materials for years using this preparation and examination method and have gained plenty of experience.
Brief information on asbestos in plasters and fillers
- Application, products: interior and outdoor areas of buildings; predominantly low contents of asbestos; hidden installation underneath asbestos-free products; in the case of Artex also visible installation
- Types of asbestos: chrysotile, anthophyllite, actinolite- tremolite
- Asbestos content: traces up to several per cent
Identification of asbestos in plasters, trowlled on materials and paintings by means of SEM images and energy-dispersive element-spectra
