About Asbestos

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos fibres are naturally formed mineral silicate substances that when separated into fibres becomes an inhalation health risk. Asbestos containing materials were used in building design from the 1940s until around 1990 but was still used up to the year 2003 until prohibited. When asbestos fibres are liberated into the atmosphere along with a specific geometry that allows the fibres to be inhaled within the lungs, in which case this may lodge onto the lining and cause a health concern Asbestos is the term for a number of fibrous silicate minerals. Some of the products made from asbestos cement (a bonded asbestos material) include:
  • Fibro sheeting (flat and profiled)
  • Guttering and downpipes (as well as other pipes for water, drainage or flues)
  • Corrugated roofing sheets
  • Roofing shingles and guttering.
When materials that contain asbestos are damaged or disturbed, these fibres are discharged into the air and then can be inhaled, causing health risks. Because of their physical characteristics and bio-persistence asbestos fibres stay in the body.Asbestos related diseases will not affect you immediately; they usually take a while to develop. Unfortunately, once diagnosed it is generally too late to do anything about it. This is why it is important that you protect yourself now, call ASB Environmental Services now to assess you property or quote on asbestos removal. Asbestos can cause the following fatal and serious diseases:
  • Mesothelioma
  • Asbestos-related lung cancer
  • Asbestosis
  • Pleural thickening
The manufacture and use of asbestos products was banned in Australia from 31 December 2003. This ban applies to the manufacture, supply, storage, sale, use, reuse, installation and replacement of asbestos.
FRIABLE VS NON-FRIABLE
Friable asbestos is material containing asbestos that when dry, is in powder form or may be crushed or pulverised into powder form by hand pressure. This material poses a higher risk of exposing people to airborne asbestos fibres. Non-friable asbestos is all forms of asbestos other than friable asbestos and includes asbestos cement sheeting and other materials where asbestos fibres are bonded into a matrix. If non-friable asbestos is damaged or degraded it may become friable and will then pose a higher risk of fibre release.

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