This question came to light recently during a BOHS P405 course, where a delegate asked, “Can I sell an asbestos-containing product?”
The delegate in question was the building manager of a museum in the UK, responsible for managing various sites across the country. One of the museums they oversee is set to be closed and sold to a development company, which posed the question, “Can we sell or auction our historic artifacts that contain asbestos?”
The answer to this is quite clear: Asbestos regulations prohibit the sale, loan, lease, hire, or gifting of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) explicitly states that it is illegal to supply asbestos materials, including selling, lending, gifting, hiring, or transferring asbestos-containing products. This means that any museum artifacts containing asbestos cannot be auctioned, sold, or otherwise passed on to another owner.
What About Historical Artifacts?
There is no general exemption for historical artifacts. However, an exemption may be possible in certain cases – for example, if you can prove that they are being transferred strictly for research, education, or training purposes. Even in such cases, you would need to seek guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure compliance.
What Historical Products Could Contain Asbestos?
Many historical artifacts, especially those from the early-to-mid 20th century, were made with asbestos due to its heat-resistant and insulating properties. Some common examples include:
- Vintage hairdryers – Older hairdryers often contained asbestos insulation to protect against heat.
- WWII gas masks – The vast majority of WWII-era gas masks contain asbestos, often blue asbestos, which is a category one carcinogen. Over time, these filters degrade, releasing harmful fibres into the air.
- Old radios – Radios from the 1930s and 1940s may have asbestos insulation inside the cabinet, above tubes, or under the chassis to prevent overheating.
- Vintage household appliances – Items such as coffee pots, irons, toasters, and even oven gloves were sometimes manufactured with asbestos insulation or components, making them hazardous if disturbed.
- Vintage heaters and stoves – Many older heaters and wood-burning stoves were lined with asbestos for heat resistance.
- Theatre and cinema curtains – Older fireproof curtains, used in theatres and cinemas, were often made with asbestos fibres.
- Antique fireproof safes – Many early safes used asbestos insulation as a fireproofing material.
Disposal and Duty of Care
If asbestos-containing artifacts cannot be legally sold and are no longer going to be managed and displayed at the museum, they must be disposed of correctly. Museums and organisations have a duty of care to ensure these items are classified and disposed of as hazardous waste, following the appropriate legal guidelines. The responsibility ends once they have been disposed of in compliance with the law as contaminated waste.
Final Thoughts
If you come across asbestos-containing artifacts in your museum or collection, do not attempt to sell, gift, or auction them. Instead, seek professional advice on safe disposal or potential exemptions for educational purposes. Always follow the guidance of the HSE to ensure compliance with asbestos regulations.
Get in touch with the asbestos awareness experts at NATAS today for advice on safe disposal, legal compliance, and more.
