If your Adelaide home was built before stricter asbestos measures were in place it may contain asbestos materials. Disturbing these materials releases dangerous airborne fibres which can be inhaled and cause serious health conditions such as pleural thickening, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

The best way to identify the presence of asbestos is through a professional inspection. This can be carried out as part of a renovation or presales report.

Identifying Asbestos

The best way to know if a material contains asbestos is by requesting an expert laboratory test. This can be done by an asbestos inspection Adelaide specialist or licensed removalist. Alternatively, the Residential Checklist on the Greencap website empowers homeowners to conduct a visual inspection of their properties. This allows them to identify locations of possible asbestos products and develop a clear plan of action for their maintenance, repair, or removal.

Asbestos materials in good condition generally pose little risk, unless they are disturbed or damaged. However, if asbestos is ripped, cut, or sanded it may release fibres that are easily inhaled and can irritate the lungs. Asbestos fibres are around 50 to 200 times thinner than human hair and can be inhaled without your awareness, even if you are not touching the material directly. This is why asbestos-containing materials are not recommended for DIY jobs.

Workers most at risk of exposure to asbestos are those who work on building sites, renovate homes or work in demolition and waste management. Asbestos was widely used in construction before the mid-1980s, and it is ’highly likely’ that if a home or office was built before 1987 it contains some materials that incorporate asbestos. Commonly used building materials that contain asbestos include fibro sheeting (flat and corrugated), water drainage and flue pipes, roofing shingles and guttering, and the backing of some vinyl sheet floor coverings. For an important source about asbestos inspection Adelaide, check this out. 

Asbestos is found in a wide range of products sold in Australia, including some household items like fireproof gloves, stove-top pads and ironing board covers. If these products are still in good condition, they should not be thrown out. However, if they are slightly damaged, or you are planning to use them for renovations or repairs, it is important to find out whether they contain asbestos. A professional occupational hygienist or licensed asbestos removalist can test your home and collect samples for analysis by a NATA-approved asbestos laboratory.

Detecting Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals that was once widely used in building and construction materials because of their fire retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. However, asbestos is now a known human carcinogen that causes lung cancer and mesothelioma when fibres are inhaled. Exposure to asbestos may also cause other health problems such as respiratory difficulties, abdominal pain and itchy skin.

Many Australian homes built before 1990 or when stricter asbestos inspection Adelaide measures were adopted may contain materials that include asbestos. In order to minimise potential risks, it is vital that these materials are properly inspected by qualified professionals before renovations or DIY home projects commence.

If the material containing asbestos is in good condition and is not disturbed, there is no danger to the homeowner. The problem is when the material becomes damaged or deteriorates, causing fibres to become airborne. This can happen if the material is cut, ripped or sanded. Non-friable asbestos materials are tightly bound within their matrix and do not release fibres. Friable asbestos, on the other hand, can easily crumble and be ingested when disturbed. For an important source about asbestos inspection Adelaide, check this out. 

When asbestos materials are tampered with, it is important to ensure that the fibres do not become airborne. This is because the fibres can be inhaled and lodged deep in the lungs where they can remain for a long time, potentially leading to serious illness.

It is important to note that it is illegal for anyone to handle, sample or remove asbestos without appropriate training and certification. It is also advisable not to disturb any material that may be suspect of containing asbestos, especially in a high-risk environment such as an old industrial site or a residential setting. In addition, it is essential to understand that the latency period for asbestos related diseases can be very long and can start anywhere from 20 to 50 years after initial exposure. For an important source about asbestos inspection Adelaide, check this out.