Our FAQ page provides you with all the necessary information on asbestos and threats of asbestos. If you are still unsure and not clear about the information provided please contact us for a free consultation.
Please take some time to acquaint yourself with some frequently asked questions and general information relating to the dangers of asbestos to keep your family and workplace colleagues safe from exposure.
Asbestos is a general name given to a group of six varied minerals formed by fibre and occurs naturally in the environment. These asbestos fibres are generally not seen by the naked eyes due to their tiny substance. It was widely used in the building and construction industry between the 1950s and 1970s, due to its heat resistance and insulating properties. The total ban on asbestos came into effect in December 2003.
If you work in the demolition and construction industry do not disturb or try to handle asbestos unless you are trained to do so. Consider wearing appropriate personal protective equipment to reduce your exposure. If the suspected asbestos is in good condition, there is no risk to your health. However, if the suspected asbestos is in poor condition contact asbestos removal professionals immediately to reduce further exposure.
Homes and buildings built before the 1990s are most likely to have asbestos. Because the asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye, it is not possible to identify them just by looking at them. The only way to identify asbestos is through sampling and testing the suspected material, and this must be done by a licenced assessor using a NATA accredited laboratory.
The risk increases with heavier and longer exposure time. Workers who are not working directly with asbestos but are working in the nearby asbestos-contaminated are also observed to have incurred diseases like lung cancer.
The risk depends on the time of exposure and the amount of exposure. Asbestos related disease after the first exposure takes between 15 to 30 years to develop.
Asbestos refers to six natural minerals: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite.
Asbestos exposure may increase the chance of several diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma and various other types of cancer such as the larynx and gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use a licenced asbestos removal professional to handle and remove asbestos for you.
Generally, people with asbestos related diseases do not show any signs of illness until many years after their first asbestos exposure. For instance, the time between the first exposure and the appearance of lung cancer is 15 years or more.
Anyone unaware of the presence of asbestos is at risk especially home renovators, demolition workers, trade people, drywall remover, asbestos removal workers, and insulation workers.