Asbestos Timeline UK: Interactive History and Quiz

Asbestos was used in British buildings for most of the 20th century, and it’s still in thousands of homes, schools and workplaces today. Our interactive asbestos timeline for the UK takes you from the first warnings in Victorian factories to the 1999 ban and the laws that apply now. Then check whether your own building could contain asbestos, and test what you’ve learned with our quick quiz.

The UK Asbestos Timeline

Tap a date to explore, or use the arrows to step through the history.

Could Your Building Contain Asbestos?

Answer four quick questions to see how likely it is, and what you should do next.

Test Your Knowledge: The Asbestos Quiz

Ten questions on asbestos history, the law and where it’s found. How many can you get right?

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Sources: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) asbestos-related disease and mesothelioma statistics; the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1985 and 1999; the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. This page is for general information and isn’t a substitute for a professional asbestos survey.