We conduct conclusive real-time asbestos inspections and surveys specifically tailored to the residential sector.
Many buildings in Australia contain asbestos – in the mid 20th century, asbestos was commonly used in spray-applied flame retardant, thermal system insulation, and in a variety of other common building materials. Asbestos was sometimes “flocked” above false ceilings, inside technical ducts, and in many other small spaces. Asbestos was also commonly used for cheap fencing in Australia.
In residences, asbestos was often a component of a type of flocked acoustic ceiling called popcorn ceiling or “cottage cheese ceiling”, until its production was banned. The only way to be sure is to remove a sample and have it tested by a competent, NATA accredited laboratory.
What Should I Do If I Find Asbestos?
If you think that you have found asbestos in your home, don’t touch it. Asbestos is a risk in the home when it is disturbed in a way that produces dust that contains asbestos fibres.
Depending on how and where asbestos was applied, it might not pose any risk to most users of the building. If the fibres cannot become dislodged, they cannot be inhaled, and thus the asbestos poses no risk.
Asbestos poses hazards to maintenance personnel who have to drill holes in walls for installation of cables or pipes. Even if the workers are protected, such maintenance operation may release fibres into the air, which may be inhaled by others. SERS asbestos consultants follow stringent procedures to ensure that asbestos is removed safely and without causing additional problems.
How Dangerous is Asbestos?
Originally thought to be a wonderfully cheap and efficient building material, Asbestos was soon to become one of the most dangerous in Australia. This is why it’s so important to have a licensed and trained asbestos consultant to safely remove any asbestos on your property.
Asbestos fibres are incredibly hard to destroy – once the fibres are lodged in the lungs or other body tissues the body cannot break them down or remove them. They remain in place where they can cause diseases.
There are three primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure:
- Asbestosis
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
Dangers of Asbestos Blogs and Articles
Where Was Asbestos Used?
Asbestos can commonly be found in roofing, wall cladding, flooring, insulations, gaskets, adhesives and any form of cement. It is especially prevalent in lower-cost construction, including many homes, schools, churches, shops and even hospitals.
Asbestos are naturally occurring minerals with physical characteristics that made them ideal as a building material. They contain fibres of high tensile strength while having a thermal tolerance of 400 degrees Celsius.
Buildings built prior to 2003 may still contain traces of asbestos which pose serious health risks if the fibres are breathed in.
Asbestos Use Blogs and Articles
