Asbestos: What is it?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre that was widely used in building materials up to 1985.

The most commonly found building materials that contain asbestos are asbestos cement products.  

Asbestos is a versatile product which withstands erosion, cold, acids, alkalis, electricity, noise, energy loss, vibration, salt water, frost, dust and has fire and water resistance properties.

All forms of asbestos are classified human carcinogens (cancer causing) and exposure can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

For this reason, asbestos has been banned nationally since 31st December 2003. Great care must be exercised in the immediate and ongoing management of any products found to contain asbestos.

Identifying asbestos
Asbestos is identified by small bunches of fibres protruding from the matrix in which it is bonded e.g. fibro sheeting, friable, pipe lagging etc.

The fibres are usually white (Chrysotile) brown (Amosite) blue (Chrocidolite) or a combination of all three.

If you are thinking about renovating and are unsure whether asbestos is present in your home, you should get a sample tested. Tests start from as little as $80. You will receive a NATA certified report certifying that everything is ay ok.  

List your asbestos removal job.

Author Wayne Bromley heads up South East Asbestos, a registered asbestos removal business on ServiceSeeking.com.au