Identifying industrial sites with potential for residential exposure to asbestos.

BACKGROUND Non-occupational exposure to asbestos has been of increasing interest, but residential exposure to asbestos often focuses on a few high-profile asbestos users. This study aimed to identify industrial sites producing asbestos goods in a given area and time period. METHODS A search of trade directories was carried out for industrial sites in West Yorkshire, England, where asbestos may have been used this century. RESULTS A large number of factories with potential for residential exposure were found. A total of 269 factories in West Yorkshire used asbestos between 1900 and 1979, many for short periods only. CONCLUSIONS Identification of potential sources of residential exposure to asbestos would have greatly underestimated their number if either only high-profile users or existing official listings had been used. Any consideration of asbestos use should aim to identify all users, not just the high-profile manufacturers.