10 Things About Asbestos You Need To Know
Access more information about asbestos and related regulations here in our resources section.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of six types of silicate minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibres that can be separated into thin, durable threads for use in industrial and commercial applications. For much of the 20th century, it was viewed as the “miracle mineral” due to its various desirable properties. Physical characteristics of asbestos that made it widely used in numerous applications are:
- Thermal stability,
- Chemical resistance,
- Strength under pressure,
- Water resistance,
- Suitability for reinforcing and weaving,
- Electrical resistance.
In Australia, asbestos was commonly used in building materials between the 1940s and the late 1980s. Consequently, many buildings throughout Australia built between this period still contain it until today.
Types of Asbestos
The three types of asbestos that have found significant commercial and industrial uses are:
- Chrysotile
- Crocidolite
- Amosite
Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs) fall into two broad categories:
Friable
Friable is used to refer to ACMs that is more prone to damage and can be easily reduced to powder when crushed by hand, when dry. When being disturbed or damaged, friable ACMss can release inhalable fibres into the air and contaminate the environment. It contains more than 1% asbestos by weight. Friable ACMs must only be removed by an A-class licensed removalist.
Non-friable or bonded
Non-friable or bonded asbestos is more resistant to damage and abrasion, so is likely to release hazardous fibres into the air. Non-friable ACMs cannot be damaged by the human hand and often contain up to 15% of it. They are mainly made from asbestos fibres together with a bonding compound (e.g. cement). A B-class licensed removalist is allowed to remove non-friable ACMs.
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
Cases Related to Asbestos in Australia
Roofing materials
Asbestos in roofing materials is one of the common issues that most property owners might have faced. This condition is worsened by the fact that some Australian cities have quite extreme weather patterns. Those cities have a humid subtropical climate, where natural disasters such as thunderstorms, large hail, torrential rain, and destructive winds become a normal part of their typical weather conditions.
Mishandling of Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs)
Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance and threatens human health. Due to its nature, you need to handle ACMs with care. Mishandling of it can cause a release of fibres at an accelerated pace, endanger your lives and contaminate the environment.
For this reason, it’s important to keep your environment free from contamination.
According to the local regulations, here are few steps you can do to minimise contamination:
- If you believe a home renovator, homeowner or owner-builder is unsafely handling, removing, or transporting ACMs or a person has illegally dumped asbestos waste, contact your local council.
- If you believe a contractor, business or an occupant at a commercial premise, is unsafely handling, removing or transporting ACMs, contact the Department of Justice and the Attorney-General.
Illegal dumping
Illegal dumping is another major concern related to the case. The government is concerned that some renovators and contractors are not handling and disposing of asbestos waste in a safe and lawful manner.
Every year, half a million dollars of ratepayers’ money is spent on cleaning up illegally dumped waste in Australia. Even more, money is spent on fixing infrastructure and natural areas impacted by illegal dumping.
Illegal dumping has some serious impacts, such as damaging infrastructure and the natural environment, decreasing property values, and causing chemical and physical pollution in the neighbourhoods and waterways.
Products Containing Asbestos
General products
- Fibre Gaskets
- Vinyl products
- Sheets Fire proofing & prevention materials
- Electrical cloth & electrical panel partition
Construction material
- Insulation material
- Floor backing & drywall taping compounds
- Ductwork connectors & flexible duct connectors
- Adhesives and gold bond adhesives
Where Asbestos Can Be Found in a Building?
Asbestos was widely used in residential, commercial buildings and government properties throughout Australia. Many houses and buildings built before 1990 in Australia are highly likely to contain it.
Up until the 1960s, 25% of all new housing was clad in asbestos cement in Australia.
Regulations Governing Asbestos
On 31 December 2003, materials containing all forms of asbestos were no longer able to be sold, used, reused, manufactured, imported, supplied, stored, transported, installed or replaced in Australia.
For that reason, it’s important to check and determine whether your property has asbestos or not. Before conducting any work on it, check the local council website to learn more about this dangerous substance.
What Should I Do if I Find Asbestos on My Property?
If you think there may be Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs) in your house, don’t panic. Look for signs such as abrasions, tears, or water damage.
ACMs that aren’t disturbed or damaged are not likely to pose a health risk. Often, the best thing to do is to leave the material alone if it is in good condition.
ACMs may release fibres when they are damaged, disturbed, repaired, removed improperly, torn, cut, sawed, sanded, scraped or drilled. Keep an eye on ACMs and visually check them over time for signs of damage or wear.
Transfer Stations and Authorized Landfill sites for Asbestos Waste
Asbestos waste is classified as hazardous and must be disposed of properly. Before any removal or demolition work, you should identify which waste facility is licensed by the EPA for disposal of asbestos waste. Hazardous waste transfer stations can accept it and then arrange to have it disposed of at an authorised landfill site.
Government Agencies that Deal with Asbestos
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency were established to give a national focus on the issues of asbestos that go beyond workplace safety that include environmental as well as public health concerns.
ABN: 50 802 255 175
Address: Level 10, 255 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 1300 326 148
Fax: (02) 6204 2029
National Asbestos Exposure Register
This is the register created by the Australian government that documents the members’ details of the community that believe they might have been exposed to asbestos. It is managed by the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
ABN: 50 802 255 175
Address: Level 10, 255 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 1300 326 148
Fax: (02) 6204 2029
Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Inc. (AIOH)
It is a premier professional association of Australia that represent the interests of occupational hygienists. Also, it promotes and preserves the health and wellbeing of workers of Australia using the knowledge, practice and also standing of occupational health as well as occupational hygiene.
Phone: +61 3 9338 1635
Address: Unit 2, 8-12 Butler Way / PO Box 1205, Tullamarine Victoria 3043, Australia
National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia
It is the authority providing independent assurance of technical competence using a proven network of qualified practise industry experts for customers requiring confidence in their products and services delivery.
Phone: 1800 621 666
Address: Head office Sydney / PO Box 7507, Silverwater, NSW, 2128
Asbestoswise
The organisation is supervised by an elected Committee of Management, which consists of volunteer members governing the affairs of the organisation as well as a small contingent of paid staff.
ABN: 74 776 624 469
Phone: (03) 9654 9555
Address: 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VICTORIA 3000
Department of the Environment and Energy
Office: King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Address: GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
