Asbestos plasterboard: what it is and what it is not
Plain plasterboard is gypsum, not asbestos cement. The risk is in what sits on it, behind it and around it.
Standard plasterboard is a gypsum core wrapped in paper. And it is not an asbestos product. The confusion comes from fibro sheet, which looks similar once painted. In older Australian houses builders used the two side by side.
Why people mix them up
Both are flat boards fixed to a frame and painted. Both were used for walls and ceilings. Fibro is harder, heavier and more brittle. Plasterboard is softer and breaks with a snap along the paper.
You still cannot reliably tell them apart by eye or by tapping. Thickness, joins and paint all mislead. A sheet is only confirmed by a sample analysed at a NATA-accredited laboratory.
Where asbestos can sit near plasterboard
The board itself is rarely the problem. The risk lies in the extras. Older textured ceiling coatings, some joint compounds and wall finishes, and sheet used in the wet areas next door can be compatible with containing asbestos. So can the backing board behind a meter box or tiles.
Our page on ceilings, internal wall sheeting and wet areas covers the places most often disturbed. For the flat cement product, see asbestos cement sheet inside the house.
Do not sand, cut or scrape to find out
This is the mistake that causes trouble. People sand a join or scrape a ceiling to see what is underneath. Do not do that to a suspect surface. Breaking it is what releases fibre.
If you plan to renovate a house from before the late 1980s, arrange a sample first. Our guide to taking an asbestos sample explains the process. If the lab says no asbestos, you can carry on. If it says yes, check what a homeowner may legally remove, because the rules differ by state.
Frequently asked questions
Does plasterboard contain asbestos?
Standard gypsum plasterboard does not. Some older coatings, textures and nearby sheet materials may be compatible with containing asbestos.
How do I know if a wall is plasterboard or fibro?
You cannot be sure by looking. Only a sample analysed at a NATA-accredited laboratory can confirm what a sheet is made of.
Can I sand plasterboard in an old house?
Not until you know what is on it. Test the surface and coatings first, because sanding a material that contains asbestos releases fibres.
Who do I ask if I am unsure?
Your state or territory WHS regulator can tell you the rules where you live, and a licensed assessor can advise on testing.
Sources
What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.
- Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency. Asbestos Product Guide. What products contained asbestos and where they were used
- NSW Government. Asbestos in NSW. The NSW Government asbestos portal