Asbestos is a group of minerals that is mined then processed. It is composed of very fine crystals that can be inhaled and cause life-threatening damage to lungs and airways. The fibres irritate lung tissue and cause inflammation, scarring and serious diseases, which can take decades to develop. Around 4000 Australians die every year from asbestos related diseases, that’s double the road toll.
A common type of bonded asbestos is asbestos cement, which was widely used in walls, fencing, roofing, insulation and fireproofing, and in textiles. Two out of three houses built between the 1940s and 1980s contain asbestos. While this deadly product was phased out in the 1980s and eventually banned in 2003, if your house was built prior to 1987 it is likely to be present in some form.
Most asbestos containing materials in your home are safe IF they are in good condition and unlikely to be damaged or disturbed. However, asbestos poses a serious health risk if damaged, weathered or if you want renovate or demolish.
Because you can’t see asbestos fibres with the naked eye and because they are very light, they can be blown long distances by the wind, which is what makes it so unsafe.
While most people would have some idea about what asbestos is, very few can identify it correctly or have the expertise to know what’s safe and what is not when it comes to dealing with it on a site.
If you are unsure on whether asbestos is present in your home or on a worksite, we can conduct a site search and advise you on the next steps to take. Often, we can tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. We will also know if a Class A or Class B licence will be required to remove it.
The only way to definitively know if asbestos is present is to have samples of the material in question tested BEFORE you start your renovation or demolition.
Riskevade is a specialist consulting and testing company with extensive experience in asbestos testing. We provide consultation and monitoring services specifically tailored to meet each individual situation.
A common type of bonded asbestos is asbestos cement, which was widely used in walls, fencing, roofing, insulation and fireproofing, and in textiles. Two out of three houses built between the 1940s and 1980s contain asbestos. While this deadly product was phased out in the 1980s and eventually banned in 2003, if your house was built prior to 1987 it is likely to be present in some form.
Most asbestos containing materials in your home are safe IF they are in good condition and unlikely to be damaged or disturbed. However, asbestos poses a serious health risk if damaged, weathered or if you want renovate or demolish.
Because you can’t see asbestos fibres with the naked eye and because they are very light, they can be blown long distances by the wind, which is what makes it so unsafe.
While most people would have some idea about what asbestos is, very few can identify it correctly or have the expertise to know what’s safe and what is not when it comes to dealing with it on a site.
If you are unsure on whether asbestos is present in your home or on a worksite, we can conduct a site search and advise you on the next steps to take. Often, we can tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. We will also know if a Class A or Class B licence will be required to remove it.
The only way to definitively know if asbestos is present is to have samples of the material in question tested BEFORE you start your renovation or demolition.
Riskevade is a specialist consulting and testing company with extensive experience in asbestos testing. We provide consultation and monitoring services specifically tailored to meet each individual situation.
EXAMPLES OF ASBESTOS
