Industrial

Asbestos Paint & Protective Coating

Paints and protective coatings containing asbestos fibres for fire resistance, texture, and durability.

Period of use:1920, present*

Peak use:1960s

Friability:Mixed

Risk level:

* The end date of asbestos use varies by country depending on when it was banned. See the ban year next to each country below.

Description

Asbestos paint and protective coatings represent a broad category of liquid-applied products that contained chrysotile asbestos fibres as a reinforcing, texturing, or fire-retarding additive. Manufactured from the 1920s through the late 1970s, these products were produced by major paint companies and speciality coating manufacturers for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The asbestos content typically ranged from 1% to 15% by weight, added to provide crack resistance, texture, fire retardancy, moisture resistance, and improved adhesion.

The range of asbestos-containing coatings was remarkably diverse. Interior wall and ceiling paints incorporated asbestos fibres to add texture and prevent cracking. Roof coatings and masonry sealants used asbestos for weather resistance and reinforcement. Anti-condensation or anti-sweat compounds, such as Flintkote No. 229, contained asbestos to create an insulating, moisture-resistant surface film on cold metal surfaces like pipes, tanks, and structural steel. Fire-retardant coatings used asbestos as the primary active ingredient for providing fire resistance to wood, steel, and other combustible substrates.

Major paint manufacturers including Sherwin Williams, Kelly Moore, and Benjamin Moore produced lines of asbestos-containing paints and coatings for the general market. Flintkote Company was a significant producer of speciality asbestos coatings, marketing products under brand names including Rexalt (a roof coating), Thermalkote (a fire-resistant coating), and No. 229 Antisweat (an anti-condensation compound). These products were sold through standard retail and wholesale paint supply channels without prominent asbestos warnings.

Asbestos paint is classified as mixed friability because the risk depends entirely on the activity being performed. When the paint film is intact and undisturbed on the surface, the asbestos fibres are bound within the dried coating matrix and present minimal risk. The hazard arises during renovation activities that disturb the paint film: sanding produces fine dust laden with asbestos fibres; scraping generates chips and particles containing fibres; chemical stripping softens the matrix and releases fibres; heat guns can vaporise the binder and release fibres; and power washing erodes the surface and creates fibre-containing aerosols. These activities are routine during building renovation and are frequently performed without any awareness of the asbestos content.

The concealed nature of asbestos in paint makes it one of the most commonly overlooked asbestos-containing materials. Unlike recognisable products such as pipe insulation or ceiling tiles, asbestos paint is visually indistinguishable from asbestos-free paint. It can only be identified through laboratory analysis of a paint chip sample. Any building painted before the late 1970s should have paint tested before sanding, scraping, or other surface preparation activities.

Countries where commonly found

🇺🇸 United States(banned 2024)🇨🇦 Canada(banned 2018)🇬🇧 United Kingdom(banned 1999)🇦🇺 Australia(banned 2003)

🇺🇸 United States: Asbestos-containing paints and coatings were manufactured by major American paint companies including Sherwin Williams, Kelly Moore, and Benjamin Moore. Flintkote Company produced specialised asbestos coatings under brand names including Rexalt, Thermalkote, and No. 229 Antisweat compound. These products were used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications until the late 1970s.

🇨🇦 Canada: Asbestos paints and coatings were sold in Canada during the same period as in the United States. They were commonly applied to roofs, exterior walls, and industrial surfaces where fire resistance or texture was desired.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Asbestos-containing paints and coatings were used in UK buildings, particularly for fire-resistant coatings on structural steelwork, textured masonry paint, and anti-condensation coatings in industrial buildings. Some bituminous roof coatings also contained asbestos.

🇦🇺 Australia: Asbestos paints and coatings were available in Australia through major paint suppliers. They were commonly applied to roofing, industrial surfaces, and as protective coatings on asbestos-cement products to extend their service life.

Commercial brands

Sherwin WilliamsKelly MooreFlintkote RexaltFlintkote ThermalkoteFlintkote #229 AntisweatBenjamin Moore

How to identify

Asbestos paint cannot be identified by visual inspection alone. It looks identical to asbestos-free paint in colour, sheen, and texture. Suspect asbestos paint in any building painted or coated before the late 1970s, particularly if the paint has a thick, textured, or fibrous appearance. Roof coatings, anti-condensation compounds, and fire-retardant coatings from this era are more likely to contain asbestos than standard interior wall paint. A small paint chip sample, including all layers down to the substrate, should be submitted to an accredited laboratory for polarised light microscopy analysis. Testing typically costs $25 to $75 per sample.

Health risk & friability

This material has a risk level of 3 out of 5.

It is classified as mixed, meaning it can range from non-friable when in good condition to highly friable when damaged, weathered or disturbed. Professional assessment is essential to determine the current state and appropriate action.

What to do if you find this material

Do not sand, scrape, heat-strip, or power-wash painted surfaces in pre-1980 buildings without first testing the paint for asbestos. If the paint is intact and in good condition, it can be safely left in place or painted over with new paint. If surface preparation is needed before repainting, have a sample tested first. If asbestos is confirmed and disturbance is necessary, use wet methods to suppress dust, avoid power sanding, and consider chemical stripping methods that keep the paint film intact in large pieces rather than pulverising it. For large-scale paint removal projects with confirmed asbestos, engage a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

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Frequently asked questions

Did major paint brands really contain asbestos?

Yes. Major paint manufacturers including Sherwin Williams, Kelly Moore, and Benjamin Moore produced asbestos-containing products during the mid-twentieth century. Flintkote Company produced specialised asbestos coatings under well-known brand names. The practice was industry-wide and reflected the era in which asbestos was considered a valuable performance additive.

Is it safe to paint over asbestos paint?

Yes. Applying new paint directly over intact asbestos-containing paint is safe and actually provides an additional encapsulating layer. Do not sand or scrape the existing surface before repainting. Use a primer compatible with the existing coating and apply new paint with a roller or brush. Avoid spray application which may dislodge surface particles.

How do I test paint for asbestos?

Use a sharp blade to carefully cut and peel a small paint chip, approximately 2 to 3 centimetres, that includes all paint layers down to the substrate. Place the chip in a sealed bag and submit it to an accredited laboratory for polarised light microscopy analysis. Mist the cut area with water before and during sampling to suppress dust. Results are typically available within a few days.

What is the biggest risk from asbestos paint?

The greatest risk comes from renovation activities that pulverise the paint film, particularly dry sanding, which generates large quantities of fine, fibre-laden dust in the breathing zone. Scraping, heat stripping, and power washing also create significant exposure. The risk from intact, undisturbed asbestos paint on walls and ceilings is very low.

What about lead and asbestos in the same old paint?

Buildings painted before 1978 may contain both lead-based paint and asbestos-containing paint, sometimes in different layers of the same paint system. Both hazards require testing and management before disturbance. When both are present, the abatement procedures must address both contaminants simultaneously, which typically requires specialised contractors licensed for both lead and asbestos work.