Asbestos at home

Asbestos at home jimsasbestosremoval.com.au

Asbestos at home

Asbestos at home

Asbestos is a mineral that has natural silicates made of small fibers. When disturbed, it may produce dust containing asbestos fibers. Inhaling these fibers to the lungs can, in turn, cause a variety of health problems including pleural plaque, asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos is commonly used in building materials between the 1940s and the late 1980s. It is used because it is fire resistant, durable and an efficient insulation material. Now we are aware of health risks, no longer mined in Australia. Since early 2004, this product has also not been imported or used in Australian products.

The risk of existing asbestos

Asbestos only poses a risk to health when asbestos fibers are inhaled.

The presence of asbestos in building materials generally does not pose a health risk unless the material is damaged, deteriorated or also disturbed in such a way that air asbestos fibers are produced. There is potential for this to occur when materials containing asbestos are being damaged, or when being drilled, sanded or cut with an electric appliance.

When working on or handling asbestos products, households must follow the precautions described in this fact sheet. These precautions are designed to reduce the risk for households to very low levels.

It is difficult to say whether a building material contains asbestos, and the only way to ensure it is to have a sample of material tested by an accredited laboratory (see Where to get the help section). If the material is not tested, it must be treated as if it contains asbestos.

Asbestos-related diseases

Most people who are suffering from asbestos-related diseases have worked in jobs where they often breathe large amounts of asbestos fiber. For example, in the past, construction workers who used unsafe practices may often meet the level of asbestos fibers above the background level. Some people may also carry asbestos fibers to their clothing, skin and hair, and family members exposed to fiber.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to various diseases including:

- Pleural plaque - thickening of scar tissue that thickens in the pleura (lining) of the lungs

- Asbestosis - progressive scarring in the lungs that interferes with breathing

- Lung cancer - can develop decades after asbestos exposure. Smokers and also people with asbestosis are the most vulnerable

- Mesothelioma - a type of cancer that affects the pleura, covers the lungs and the lining of the chest wall and diaphragm. It can also develop several decades after asbestos exposure.

Asbestos at home tweed.nsw.gov.au

Asbestos products found around the house

Asbestos can be tied loosely or firmly. In older homes, strong asbestos can be found at:

- Exterior fiber cement coating (AC or fibro) and weather board

- Artificial brick cladding

- Flexible building boards - eave coatings, bathroom linings, cement base layers

- Corrugated cement roof

- Exhaust pipe

- Architectural cement pipe column

- Textured paint

Vinyl tiles or floor coverings.

Loose or "loose" asbestos is now rarely used in household situations. However, it is possible that loose asbestos fibers may have been used as:

- Insulation on hot water pipes

- Insulation on old household heaters

- Insulation in the furnace

- Ceiling insulation products.

- As a guide, houses are built:

- Before the mid-1980s it was very possible to have products containing asbestos

- Between the mid 1980s and in 1990 it might have products containing asbestos

After 1990 it was impossible to have products containing asbestos.

asbestos in automotive parts

Asbestos has also been used by the automotive industry. Asbestos-free car parts have been required by law since the beginning of 2004. You must be careful if you treat car brakes, couplings, or gaskets purchased or installed before that date.

How Asbestos Becomes Danger

Asbestos is a danger when in the air. If the asbestos in the house becomes damaged, asbestos fibers can be released. For example, when insulation of asbestos around the boiler, furnace, and pipes deteriorates, it releases asbestos dust. Blown ceilings containing asbestos can release fiber when drilled or patched. If the ceiling is in poor condition, the movement of air from the ceiling fan and the opening and closing curtains can spread asbestos dust.

Asbestos transit pipes, which have been used underground to transport water to homes and also in some chimney pipes, can cause other problems. Transit is one of the asbestos cement materials which worsens over time. When transit deteriorates, asbestos fibers can be released from the inside of the pipe into drinking water flowing through the pipe.

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Ways to Check Asbestos in Your Home

Visual inspection of your home is usually not enough to determine whether it contains asbestos. Instead, samples of asbestos fibers suspected to be sent to certified laboratories for analysis.

The Polarized Light Microscope (PLM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) are two types of approved analytical methods. The National Institute for Standards and Technology keeps a list of certified laboratories for conducting TEM and PLM analysis.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides detailed guidance on how to collect samples that may contain asbestos, the American Lung Association recommends that you hire a certified asbestos professional to take any samples. Hiring a professional can minimize exposure to asbestos for you and your family.

What if I Find Asbestos in My Home?

The method often used to treat asbestos at home depends on where asbestos is found, the condition of the material, and also whether it is brittle or not loose. Fragile asbestos can be easily destroyed or reduced to powder and can become air. Non-loose, asbestos is more closely tied to other materials and the fibers are not easily made in the air unless they are sanded, cut, or sawn.

If the material containing asbestos is currently in good condition or contains in such a way that the fiber cannot be released, then it may not be dangerous at this time. However, the situation must be monitored for signs of asbestos damage and damage.

In some cases, materials containing asbestos can be repaired or isolated rather than removed. For example, a small tear in pipe insulation can be repaired. Asbestos materials that are in good condition can be isolated from potential damage by using a sturdy airtight barrier. This can be a temporary solution to some asbestos problems. Encapsulants have been used in materials containing asbestos which are sprayed on walls and ceilings. Encapsulants are materials that are applied in liquid form to provide a seal against the release of asbestos fibers. They can work well for materials that contain asbestos that have not been damaged, but are more dangerous than good if the material deteriorates.