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.