Poisonous substances Britain once allowed
Lead, asbestos, CFCs, PCBs, mercury and other substances once allowed in Britain and later banned or restricted.
Leaded petrol 1970s–2000
Safety reversal
Decades of widespread use ended as evidence of lead's effects on health, particularly children, strengthened.
Lead-based household paints 1960s–1990s
Safety reversal
Lead pigments and compounds faced increasing restrictions, especially in domestic and decorative paints.
Asbestos insulation 1980s–1999
Safety reversal
A material once used extensively in British buildings was eventually banned for new use.
Blue and brown asbestos 1985
Safety reversal
Britain banned the importation and use of the most dangerous asbestos types before banning white asbestos later.
White asbestos 1999
Safety reversal
Chrysotile finally joined other asbestos types under a general UK ban.
Asbestos in schools 1980s–present
Changed evidence
Asbestos once built into ordinary educational premises became subject to mandatory management duties and extensive safety guidance.
DDT pesticide 1980s–1986
Safety reversal
Its agricultural use ended following evidence of persistent environmental harm and international restrictions.
Tributyltin antifouling paint 1980s–2000s
Safety reversal
A chemical used to keep boat hulls clean was increasingly prohibited because of marine toxicity.
CFC aerosol sprays 1980s–1990s
Safety reversal
Ozone-depleting propellants were phased out after research transformed understanding of their atmospheric effects.
CFC refrigeration 1980s–2000s
Safety reversal
Widely installed refrigerants were replaced under ozone-protection controls.
Halons in fire extinguishers 1990s–2000s
Safety reversal
Chemicals valued for fire suppression were restricted because of ozone depletion.
PCBs in electrical equipment 1980s–2000s
Safety reversal
Common industrial insulating fluids became subject to bans and disposal requirements.
Mercury in thermometers 2000s
Safety reversal
The sale of mercury fever thermometers to the public was prohibited under European rules applied in the UK.
Mercury in batteries 1990s–2010s
Safety reversal
Battery restrictions progressively reduced and then eliminated many previously permitted mercury uses.
BPA in baby bottles 2011
Safety reversal
Britain adopted a ban on bisphenol A in infant feeding bottles under EU legislation.
Phthalates in children's toys 1990s–2000s
Safety reversal
Plasticisers that had been widely used were restricted over concerns about health risks.
PFOA and PFOS chemicals 2000s–2020s
Safety reversal
Previously useful water- and stain-resistant chemical compounds faced restrictions because of persistence and toxicity.
Firefighting foam containing PFOS 2000s–2011
Safety reversal
Earlier acceptable formulations were prohibited as contamination concerns increased.
Microbeads in cosmetics 2018
Safety reversal
Britain banned the manufacture and sale of rinse-off cosmetic products containing plastic microbeads.
Single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds 2020
U-turn
Products once sold with little restriction became subject to bans in England, with related measures elsewhere in the UK.
Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.