Asbestos in the home
Asbestos is a silicate mineral made up of tiny fibres. When it is disturbed, it produces a dust that contains asbestos fibres. Fibres breathed into the lungs can cause a range of health problems including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestos - the history
Asbestos was commonly used in building materials between the 1940s and 1980s. It was used because it is fire resistant, durable and an efficient insulating material. Now that we are aware of the health risks, it is no longer mined in Australia. From December 2003, it will not be imported or used in any Australian products.
The risks of existing materials
Generally, the presence of asbestos in home building materials does not pose a health risk unless the material is broken, deteriorating, or disturbed in such a way that dust containing asbestos fibres is produced (such as during sanding or sawing).
It is difficult to tell whether a building material contains asbestos. The only way to be certain is to have a sample of the material tested in an accredited laboratory. If you do not want to test the material then it should be treated as though it contains asbestos.
Diseases associated with asbestos
Asbestos-related disease is generally associated with long term exposure to asbestos in an occupational setting. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a range of diseases including:
- Pleural plaque - thickened patches of scar tissue on the pleura (lining) of the lung.
- Asbestosis - progressive scar tissue inside the lungs that impairs breathing.
- Lung cancer - can develop decades after the asbestos exposure. Smokers and those people with asbestosis are most susceptible.
- Mesothelioma - a type of cancer which affects the pleura, the covering of the lung and lining of the chest wall and diaphragm. It can develop decades after the asbestos exposure.
Asbestos can be loosely or firmly bound. Loosely bound asbestos is found sealed inside old domestic stoves and heaters. Firmly bound asbestos is a common building material. In older homes, firmly bound asbestos may be found in the following materials:
- Flat or corrugated sheeting (fibro cement or ‘AC’ sheeting)
- Water pipes
- Flue pipes
- Roof shingles
- Flexible building boards
- Plaster patching compounds
- Textured paint
- Vinyl floor tiles
- The backings of linoleum floor coverings
- Insulation on hot water pipes
- Insulation in old domestic heaters
- Insulation in stoves
- Ceiling insulation products.
A householder may legally remove asbestos from their property. However, it is recommended that only a licensed professional remove loosely bound asbestos.
If you plan to handle asbestos material, you need to take precautions to minimise the release of asbestos fibre. If you do not feel confident to remove the asbestos material, you should contact a licensed asbestos removalist.
Taking precautions is essential
You must take precautions to protect your family, yourself and the environment when removing, packing, transporting and disposing of asbestos. You should:
- Wear a disposable overall, hat and gloves.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear a disposable, half-face particulate respirator or a half-face filter respirator fitted with a dust/particulate cartridge appropriate for asbestos. Respirators should comply with Australian Standard 1716.
- Lay plastic dropsheets around the area to catch any debris.
- Wet the asbestos surface to reduce the risk of dust particles floating into the air.
- Carefully pull out any nails.
- Do not use power tools to saw, grind, drill or break any asbestos product. If necessary, use hand tools instead.
- Try not to break the sheets as you remove them.
- Place the sheets on the ground, rather than dropping them.
- If you need to sweep, use a wet mop.
- Vacuum the area with a vacuum cleaner designed for asbestos fibre collection. These cleaners should comply with Australian Standard 3544.
- After finishing the work, place your clothes in a container marked ‘Asbestos contaminated clothing’ for disposal.
- When you’ve finished, make sure you thoroughly wash your hands and shower.
Contact the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for advice on safely disposing of asbestos and asbestos-contaminated items. Suggestions include:
- Wet the asbestos product.
- Wrap it in heavy-duty builders plastic.
- Seal the plastic completely with tape.
- Label the packages with warnings such as ‘Caution - asbestos. Do not open or damage bag. Do not inhale dust’.
- Transport the asbestos in a covered bin or covered truck.
- Take the asbestos to an approved disposal facility as suggested by the EPA.
- The Environmental Health Officer of your local council
- WorkSafe Victoria Tel. (03) 9641 1555
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria Tel. (03) 9695 2722
- Department of Human Services, Environmental Health Unit Tel. (03) 9616 7777
- Asbestos is a silicate mineral made up of tiny fibres that form a dust when disturbed.
- Asbestos fibres breathed into the lungs can cause a range of health problems including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
- Australian homes built before the 1980s may contain asbestos.
- If you do not feel confident to remove asbestos safely yourself, contact a licensed asbestos removalist.
Related articles:
Belly buttons - Q & A.
Cancer and asbestos.
Lung cancer.
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Article publication date: 26/11/2003
Last reviewed: 30/11/2004
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