40 Years Later - Nuclear Submarines and Pioneering Asbestos Techniques

In the 1980s, the UK Ministry of Defence needed to expand Faslane naval base to accommodate Vanguard-class nuclear submarines. However, there was a major challenge - the newly acquired land, a former shipbreaker’s yard, was heavily contaminated with asbestos.

At the time, there were no regulations or established methods for remediating asbestos-contaminated land. It was uncharted territory. That’s where ACS, led by Professor Roger Willey, stepped in. Through a series of pioneering experiments, we developed the first-ever large-scale asbestos remediation techniques, methods that would later shape HSE best practices.

Step One: Understanding How Asbestos Becomes Airborne

The first hurdle was figuring out how much asbestos in the soil actually posed a risk. There was no benchmark for what was considered “safe,” so we needed to determine at what point asbestos fibers could become airborne.

To do this, we ran a series of controlled experiments, deliberately disturbing asbestos-contaminated soil to measure how many fibers were released into the air. We then added water to the soil in stages to assess how much moisture was required to keep fibers from becoming airborne.

Through this research, we established a clear relationship between soil contamination levels, airborne fibre risk, and moisture content - a crucial breakthrough that enabled safer, more controlled excavation.

Step Two: Preventing Contaminated Water from Entering the Clyde

While moisture helped keep asbestos dust under control, it created a new problem - large volumes of contaminated water. Simply releasing this water into the nearby Clyde Estuary was not an option.

To address this, we developed an innovative filtration system to remove asbestos particles from the water before disposal. This not only ensured compliance with environmental regulations but also provided a scalable solution for future projects facing similar challenges.

A Lasting Impact on Asbestos Remediation

Thanks to these breakthroughs, the Faslane expansion was able to proceed on time and without excessive costs, avoiding what could have been major delays. More importantly, the techniques developed at Faslane became the foundation for modern asbestos-contaminated land management, influencing policies and practices still in use today.

Just a few years later, we applied these same principles to another high-profile project - the construction of a major hospital in Clydebank. The site, previously home to one of Europe’s largest asbestos dumps, presented an even greater challenge. However, using the methods we pioneered at Faslane, we successfully ensured safe remediation, allowing the development to move forward.

Now, 40 years later, these techniques remain industry standards, protecting people and the environment across the globe.

If you’re dealing with asbestos contamination and need expert guidance, ACS is here to help.

Contact us today to discuss your next steps on 0141 427 5171 or info@acsrisk.com.