How Much Asbestos is in the UK? The Reality Behind the Numbers

Asbestos might have been banned from new construction over two decades ago, but the reality is that millions of people across England continue to live and work in buildings containing this dangerous material. The numbers tell a sobering story about the scale of the problem we are still dealing with.

The Uncomfortable Truth

Walk down any high street in England and chances are you will pass dozens of buildings containing asbestos. The Health and Safety Executive puts the figure somewhere between 210,000 and 400,000 buildings nationwide, and that is just the ones we know about.

A 2022 analysis of building surveys revealed something even more startling: 78% of reports showed asbestos present in the building. That is more than three-quarters of buildings surveyed. It is not just the odd Victorian terrace or post-war factory – this stuff is everywhere.

The most staggering figure of all? An estimated six million tonnes of asbestos remains locked inside buildings across the UK. To put that in perspective, that is equivalent to the weight of six hundred Eiffel Towers worth of hazardous material sitting above our heads, beneath our feet and within our walls.

Where the Danger Lurks

Our Children’s Schools

Perhaps nowhere is the asbestos legacy more troubling than in our schools. Between 75% and 80% of schools in England still contain asbestos materials. These are not just dusty old Victorian buildings, we are talking about schools built right through the 1960s and 70s when asbestos was considered a wonder material.

Every day, millions of children, teachers and staff spend hours in these environments. The asbestos is often hidden away – in ceiling voids, around pipes, within wall cavities – but it is there, nonetheless. One badly planned renovation, or bit of accidental damage, and suddenly you have a major incident on your hands.

NHS Buildings

If schools are concerning, hospitals are frankly alarming. More than 90% of hospital buildings contain asbestos. Think about that for a moment – our sickest and most vulnerable citizens are being treated in buildings where nine out of ten contain a known carcinogen.

Many of these hospitals were built during the NHS expansion of the 1960s and 70s. Back then, asbestos was used extensively for everything, from insulation to floor tiles. Now, decades later, these same buildings are struggling to cope with the reality of what lies within their fabric.

Living with the Legacy

The truth is, we are all living with the consequences of decisions made decades ago. When asbestos was being installed in the post-war building boom, nobody fully understood the health implications. Now we do, but we are stuck with millions of tonnes of the stuff embedded in our built environment.

This is not just about old industrial sites or derelict buildings. We are talking about offices, shops, community centres, sports facilities – the everyday buildings that form the backbone of English life. Many property owners have no idea what’s lurking in their buildings, and some who do simply hope it stays undisturbed.

But here is the thing about asbestos – it does not stay safely locked away forever. Buildings age, they get renovated, they suffer damage. What seemed like a manageable risk yesterday can become tomorrow’s health emergency.

The Reality for Property Owners

If you own or manage a building constructed before 1980, the odds are stacked against you. With 78% of surveyed buildings showing asbestos presence, you are more likely than not to be dealing with this issue. The question is not really whether your building contains asbestos – it is where, how much and what condition it is in.

The regulations are clear enough. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 place a legal duty on property owners to manage asbestos properly. That means knowing where it is, what condition it is in and having a plan to deal with it. Ignore these responsibilities and you could find yourself facing serious legal consequences.

But beyond the legal requirements, there is a moral obligation here. Whether you are running a school, managing a hospital, or simply renting out office space, you have a duty of care to the people who use your building. That duty does not disappear just because the asbestos is hidden from view.

What This Means for England

These figures paint a picture of a country still grappling with the toxic legacy of the asbestos era. We are not talking about a problem that affects a few unlucky property owners – this is a national issue that touches every community.

The good news is that asbestos can be managed safely when you know what you are dealing with. Professional surveys can identify where the material is located, assess its condition, and develop appropriate management strategies. Sometimes that means removal, sometimes it means careful monitoring and maintenance.

The key is knowing what you are up against. With such widespread contamination, professional assessment is not a luxury – it is a necessity. Whether you are planning building work, buying property or just trying to meet your legal obligations, expert guidance is essential.

At Armco Asbestos Consultants, we have spent years helping property owners across England navigate the complexities of asbestos management. We know the regulations, we understand the risks and we can help you develop practical solutions that protect people whilst keeping your building operational.

The asbestos problem is not going away anytime soon, but with proper management and professional support, it does not have to be the nightmare many properties owners fear.

Contact Armco Asbestos Consultants to discuss your specific situation. Sometimes the biggest risk is simply not knowing what you are dealing with.

Published Jun 20, 2025