I would be grateful if you could confirm the below; - whether TFL underground stations have asbestos in passenger areas - whether the brakes or brake systems on TFL trains or rolling stock contain asbestos - how frequently the air quality is measured within the platforms on the TFL underground network

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TfL Ref: FOI-2244-1718

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 10 November 2017 asking for information about asbestos on London Underground. I apologise for the delay in replying to you.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:

Does TFL underground stations have asbestos in passenger areas?

London Underground manages its asbestos in accordance with and compliant to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 which state in Paragraph 135;

‘’if the material is in good condition, well protected either by its position or physical protection, reducing the likelihood of damage, and is unlikely to be worked on regularly or otherwise disturbed,

It is usually safer to leave it in place and manage it’’.  Therefore removing asbestos which is in good condition or is not going to be disturbed is inherently not the safest thing to do.

Therefore it is London Underground’s policy to continue to safely manage Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in-situ, through continued management surveys, re-inspections, risk assessments and pre-work Refurbishment & Demolition (R & D) surveys.

Asbestos is found throughout the Underground, including public areas.  In Public Areas the vast majority of ACMs are contained behind station finishes and cannot be accessed by the general public.  Where areas of ACMs interface with the general public they are in a position where they cause no risk to the general public or staff.  All stations accessed by the public and staff are re-inspected on an annual basis to ensure that no adverse damage has been caused to change this status.  If it is assessed and the status has changed for any reason, then a risk assessment is undertaken which will result in either encapsulation, encasement, or removal.

Do the brakes or brake systems on TFL trains or rolling stock contain asbestos?

No asbestos exists within the brake shoes of London Underground’s rolling stock.

How frequently is the air quality is measured within the platforms on the TFL underground network?

London Underground works to ensure the millions of passengers and staff who use the Tube each day breathe the cleanest air possible at all times. TfL’s Underground air quality programme helps ensure dust and particles are kept to an absolute minimum.

A combination of the friction from Tube trains against their rails, historic dust and skin particles from passengers all contribute to dust in the Underground system. Previous independent scientific research funded by TfL in 2004 found that the composition of dust particles on the Tube was different from that above ground, and concluded that the dust did not contain components at levels which are likely to pose a risk to the health of passengers or staff.

TfL undertakes an annual survey to examine staff’s exposure to dust. This involves the measurement of respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, iron, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, and manganese dusts. Approximately 12 stations are sampled each year. These focus on the network’s busiest stations, where dust is more common.

We have been monitoring dust levels on the Tube for many years and, through a wide range of measures, have ensured that particle levels are well within Health & Safety Executive guidelines. The latest results can be found on the TfL website https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/environment-reports#on-this-page-1

Our ongoing monitoring shows that the levels and content of dust in the underground sections of London Underground’s infrastructure do not pose a significant risk to the health of our customers or employees.

As part of a new air quality action plan to inform London Underground’s approach to minimising dust, we measured dust levels at 43 stations in the summer of 2017.

We continue to learn from the best examples of dust management in metros around the world, and implementing these on the Underground wherever possible.

As part of the Tube modernisation programme, all new trains are required to have sealed windows on trains and to use high tech regenerative/rheostatic braking which recaptures energy to reduce friction on rails thereby reducing dust.

We are also exploring and expanding the use of specialist dust suppressants across the network. These are already used at some locations where dust is more common, and are now being considered for more widespread use.

If this is not the information you are looking for, please feel free to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Melissa Nichols

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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