A decision-support framework for asbestos hazard assessment and management in cultural heritage assets

Asbestos is extensively regulated in many countries around the world, both in industrial and construction contexts, due to its well-established health risks. However, its occurrence within cultural heritage remains poorly addressed by existing regulatory and management frameworks. Many artefacts, monuments, and historical materials may contain asbestos as an intentional component, contaminant, or natural constituent, while their conservation value often prevents conventional remediation options such as removal. This study proposes a decision-support framework for asbestos hazard assessment and management in asbestos-containing cultural heritage items (ACCHI). The framework integrates preliminary screening, hazard identification, stakeholder coordination, laboratory investigation, risk assessment, documentation, and long-term monitoring into a structured workflow. It involves cultural heritage institutions, occupational health and safety services, and accredited asbestos laboratories. It is supported by operational tools, including an Asbestos Survey Report (ASR), a precautionary screening questionnaire, and a dynamic ACCHI Registry. The framework is designed to support decision-making under uncertainty, particularly before handling, transport, exhibition, or conservation. Within this approach, hazard assessment focuses on asbestos identification and characterization, whereas risk assessment considers fibre release and potential human exposure under specific use scenarios. Periodic re-inspections and registry updates enable adaptive management of asbestos exposure risks while preserving the conservation value and accessibility of heritage assets. Overall, the framework provides a transferable decision-support model for managing asbestos hazards in heritage-related environments where conventional asbestos regulations do not fully address asset conservation, stakeholder coordination, and long-term monitoring needs.