Asbestos In Australia – Why Are They Dangerous?
Generally, it could be positively identified only with a special kind of microscope. There are lots of types of asbestos fibres. In the past, asbestos was added to various products to strengthen them. Essentially, to give heat insulation and fire resistance. Therefore, there are many reasons asbestos was initially chosen. The product is very durable and fire-resistant amongst other benefits.
In the past, studies of individuals who have been exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards have proven that. However, we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibres. In some cases, it may lead to an increased risk of lung cancer or what is known as mesothelioma. This is a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity. In which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.
What Happens if Asbestos is Disturbed?
Signs of the disease don’t usually appear until about twenty to thirty years following the initial exposure to asbestos. Many people are exposed to small quantities of asbestos. As all of us are in our daily lives, don’t develop these health issues.
However, when asbestos is disturbed, the material may release asbestos fibres. Therefore, it may be inhaled into the lungs. The fibres can remain there for quite a very long time. Raising the possibility of disease. Also, asbestos materials that would crumble easily if handled. Or that’s been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder. They are more inclined to make health a hazard.
What Types of Products Have Asbestos in Australia?
Those few products were made which still contain asbestos that could be inhaled. Are they required to be tagged as such? Before the 1980s, various kinds of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos in Australia.
Products that could contain asbestos include. Steam pipes and furnace ducts coated with an asbestos or asbestos paper tape. These materials can release asbestos fibres if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly. Soundproofing or decorative materials sprayed on ceilings and walls.
Some roofing and siding shingles are made from asphalt cement. These goods aren’t likely to release asbestos fibres unless sawed, dilled, or cut. Artificial embers are sold to be used in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household products like fireproof gloves, stove-top pads, ironing board covers, and certain HAIRDRYERS.
Do I Have Asbestos At Home?
Generally, the best thing is to leave asbestos material that’s in good shape alone. Generally, material in good shape won’t release asbestos fibres. There’s no danger unless fibres are released and inhaled into the lungs. Check the material regularly in case you suspect it might contain asbestos. Do not touch but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Hitting, rubbing or handling asbestos can cause this.
As suggested, if you are thinking of renovating as a precaution it recommended you contact a company like ours. However, it may also be that you simply want any asbestos you have on your property removed. Additionally, it can give peace of mind that asbestos, as stated, is not dangerous if undisturbed. The problem we find is that in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
What Should I Do About Asbestos My House?
At times, the best approach to dealing with slightly damaged material is to limit entry into this area. Do not touch or disturb it. Check with local health, environmental, or other appropriate officials such as the local council to learn proper handling and disposal processes.
To be honest, any sensible person is going to tell you to hire a professional. Removing asbestos is not something we would advise. Trained and experienced experts really should be the only ones handling asbestos in Australia in this manner.
If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged. Or with renovations in your home that might disturb it. Professional asbestos removal company is required. Before you have your home remodelled, find out whether asbestos materials are present. The most experienced asbestos removal companies will give you this information. Mostly in Australia, you will be given this information in a quote.
Importance Of An Asbestos Removal Expert
You cannot tell if a material includes asbestos by simply looking at it unless it’s labelled. If in doubt, treat the material as though it contains asbestos. Or have it sampled and analyzed by an asbestos testing experienced expert. A professional should take samples for analysis since a professional knows what to search for. There can be an increased health risk if fibres are released. In reality, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not highly suggested.
When it’s an issue, there are two kinds of corrections: repair and removal. Sealing (encapsulation) involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibres together or coats the material so fibres aren’t released. This needs to be done only by a professional trained to handle asbestos safely. Covering (enclosure) involves placing something over or around the material which has asbestos to prevent the release of fibres. With any kind of repair, asbestos remains in place.
The Way to Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos in Australia
In Australia this type of practice is rare. It is mainly carried out in other countries, such as the USA. However, removal is the safest and most effective method. Of getting asbestos out of your home. Meaning it is safer in the fact it is no longer on your property.
Keep activities to a minimum in any area having damaged material that may contain asbestos. Take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material. Removal and major repairs are done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It’s highly suggested that sampling and testing will also be done by asbestos professionals.
Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. Do not use saws, scrapes, or drill holes in asbestos materials. Do not use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring.
What You Do Not Do with Asbestos
Never use a power stripper on dry ground. Do not sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. Once asbestos flooring needs replacing, install a new floor covering over if it’s possible. Additionally, do not track materials that could contain asbestos throughout the house. Also, in an event that you can’t avoid walking through the region, have it cleaned with a wet mop. Check the substance is in a damaged area. Or if a large area needs to be cleaned, call an asbestos professional. Important repairs must be carried out only by a professional trained in methods for safely handling asbestos.
Generally, asbestos removal poses the best risk of fibre release. However, removal may be required when remodelling or making significant modifications to your home that will disturb asbestos material. Also, removal may be called for if asbestos material is damaged extensively and can’t be repaired.
Indeed, asbestos Removal is complex and must be performed only by a contractor with special training. Improper removal might increase health risks for you and your loved ones, asbestos Professionals:
Things To Know Before Hiring Asbestos Removal Services
This sort of profession will depend on the sort of merchandise and what has to be performed to fix the issue.
You may hire a general asbestos contractor or, sometimes, a professional trained to handle certain products containing asbestos. Once more, material in good shape need not be sampled unless it’s very likely to be disturbed.
Certainly, the federal government has training courses for asbestos professionals around the nation. Some local and state governments also have or require training or certification classes. Each individual performing work in your home should provide evidence of training and licensing in asbestos work. Such is the conclusion of EPA-approved training.
Why I Need An Expert Contractor
Indeed, local and state health departments or EPA regional offices might have listings of licensed professionals locally. If you’ve got an issue that requires the services of asbestos professionals, check their credentials carefully. Hire professionals that are educated, experienced, reputable, and licensed — especially if accreditation is required by local or state laws.
Before hiring a professional, request references from past customers. Learn if they have been fulfilled. Hence, getting cost estimates from several professionals, as the fees for these services may vary.
Moreover, homeowners should be alert to the possibility of misleading claims by asbestos consultants and contractors. Indeed, there have been reports of firms incorrectly claiming that asbestos materials in homes must be replaced.
Information on Hiring and Outsourcing Contractors?
Improper removals might actually increase the health risks for you and your loved ones. Certainly, to safeguard against this, know what services are available. Find out what procedures and precautions are required to perform the work correctly.
In addition to general asbestos contractors, you might pick a roofing, flooring, or plumbing contractor. Trained to handle asbestos when it’s essential to remove and replace roofing, siding and flooring. Or an asbestos-cement pipe that’s a portion of the water method. Normally, roofing and flooring contractors are exempt from state and local licensing requirements because they don’t execute any asbestos-correction work.
Hire a Professional Asbestos Testing Company and ensure the review will include a complete visual examination, a careful collection and lab analysis of samples. Once asbestos is present, the inspector must offer a written evaluation describing its location and the extent of the damage. Thus, give recommendations for correction or prevention. Make certain an inspection firm makes frequent site visits. When hiring a contractor make sure that they follow proper procedures and requirements.
Insist that the contractor use the proper equipment to perform the job if they are not already. Workers must wear approved respirators, gloves and other protective garments. Before work begins, get a written contract specifying the work plan. The cleanup and the applicable national, state, and local regulations that the contractor must follow. Such as notification requirements and asbestos disposal procedures.
Asbestos Testing Information
You can contact your local and state health departments, EPA’s regional office. Also, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regional office. Learn what the regulations are.
Make sure the contractor follows local asbestos removal and disposal laws. At the close of the project, get written assurances from the contractor that all procedures are followed. Assure the contractor to avoid spreading or tracking asbestos dust into other regions of your property. They ought to seal the work area from the remainder of the home using plastic sheeting and duct tape and turn off the heating and ac system.
Things to Know About Hiring an Asbestos Removal Contractor
For some repairs, such as pipe insulation removal, plastic glove bags may be adequate. They have to be sealed with tape and properly disposed of when the task is finished. Ensure that the worksite is clearly marked as a hazard area. Don’t allow household members and pets into the region until work is finished. Generally, a contractor will apply a wetting agent to the asbestos material using a hand sprayer that creates a fine mist before removal.
Wet fibres don’t float in the air as easily as dry fibres and will be easier to wash up. Ensure that the contractor doesn’t break removed material into small pieces. This could release asbestos fibres into the air. Pipe insulation is usually installed in preformed blocks and should be removed in complete pieces. Upon completion, ensure that the contractor cleans the area well with wet mops, wet rags, sponges, or HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaner.
Equipment Used in Asbestos Removal
A regular vacuum cleaner must never be used. Wetting helps reduce the chance of spreading asbestos fibres into the air. All asbestos materials, disposable equipment and clothing used in the project have to be placed in sealed, leakproof and labelled plastic bags. The work site must be visually free of dust and debris.
Air monitoring (to make certain that there isn’t any increase of asbestos fibres in the air) may be required to guarantee that the contractor’s job is done correctly. This needs to be done by a person not connected with the contractor.
Caution! Don’t dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
Additionally, these steps will disturb tiny asbestos fibres and might release them into the atmosphere. Remove dust from wet mopping or with a special HEPA vacuum cleaner used by trained asbestos contractors.
Asbestos Removal in Australia – Phase One Asbestos
This article has been supplied courtesy of Phase One Asbestos. We are a Class B professional asbestos removal company. Essentially, our expertise is built through 20 years of experience in removing asbestos.
Furthermore, the company is based in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Generally working on the removal of asbestos in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Are you a resident of Melbourne and need information or work performed? We urge you to reach out to us.
Phase One Asbestos offers highly rated services and simply sees our reviews to see what customers have said about our work. Our team has built our business around safe practice and punctuality. We are knowledgeable, fit and well trained.
Get A Reliable Asbestos Removal Service
Asbestos that has been implemented quite some time ago. Generally, will start to age and this when asbestos actually will become dangerous.
Moreover, in regional Victoria around our local areas such as Frankston, Warragul, Ringwood, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and West Gippsland. Many of these areas have sheds that have been built using asbestos along with the housing.
Finally, while in the case of removing asbestos in Melbourne. Residential homes, commercial and industrial buildings have had asbestos implemented in the construction. Asbestos use as we know it to be prolifically used in Australia. However, Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city certainly has had its fair share. Not to mention regional Victoria.
Finally, once you need help with Asbestos removal do not hesitate to contact us on 0466 222 549. You can also find us on Facebook on Google My Business.
Thank you for dropping by.
