Asbestos
At MAA, it is more likely that you will encounter asbestos in historic buildings or cases used for storage and display than in the collection itself. Nevertheless, there are a number asbestos-containing materials – including soapstone and Bakelite – that can be hazardous to collections users and museum staff, especially if they are in poor condition. Unlike many of the other hazards described in this guidance, there is no safe exposure level for asbestos and it is for this reason it should be always be treated as an acute inhalation hazard. It is also harmful in contact with the skin or eyes, or ingested. However, in stable condition, asbestos-containing materials can be safely handled and risk managed.
Identification
Asbestos is a known component of soapstone and Bakelite, both found in the collection at MAA. More generally, it is associated with objects which require insulation from heat or fire such as stoves and cooking implements. Asbestos-containing minerals frequently have needle-like and fibrous shapes, though they can be extremely small; contact the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences or other collections managers with an expertise in industrial or geological collections for support.
Two soapstone beads (1947.2035.14) in the Archaeology collection. Some forms of soapstone are formed with steatite, an asbestos-containing mineral. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to say if a soapstone object contains steatite based on its origin or context, so it is important to monitor the condition for signs of instability. If the object is powdery or deteriorating like the bead on the right, it is potentially hazardous; if it is stable like the bead on the left above, it is relatively safe.
Safe Handling and Response
Though it is a high risk material, objects in stable or good condition which contain asbestos are relatively safe for handling with disposable gloves, protective clothing and FFP mask. Contact a conservator or asbestos specialist about any object which potentially contains asbestos and is flaking, powdery or otherwise deteriorating; place it immediately into a sealed plastic container, do not handle, clean or attempt to dispose of it.
An ear ornament (1925.713) made from Bakelite in the Anthropology collection. Deteriorated asbestos containing materials like this should be kept permanently in sealed plastic bags. For packing or transfer of these materials, gloves, protective clothing and an FFP mask should be worn. For further handling, storage or disposal advice, contact a conservator, occupational health and safety officer, or asbestos control specialist.
Objects identified as asbestos-containing should be labelled on their storage materials and flagged as ‘Asbestos’ in the ‘Special collections and Hazards’ section of the digital object record. Only if it is in poor condition should it be designated ‘Hazard’ and given a red triangle ‘HAZARD’ label on its storage container. .
Further Resources
Museum of London, ‘Hazards in collections - Asbestos', 2019.
SOCOTEC, ‘A hidden legacy: The importance of asbestos management in museums, ancient collections and historic objects’, 2019.
UK Health and Safety Executive, ’Asbestos’, 2024. 33