The Dangers Of Handling Asbestos - Asbestos Removal Brisbane Guide

Removing asbestos yourself is not easy due to the high technical skills required. In case you discover that your house contains asbestos, it is highly advisable to avoid touching it lest you release the loose dust into the environment around you. Worn out materials require greater handling care compared to those that are in good condition. Do not use power tools, abrasive material or high pressure hoses. You must also work in a well ventilated area and properly dispose of the material after extraction.

Asbestos is a very popular mineral used in the construction industry due to its desirable properties such as average tensile strength, sound absorption, affordability and most of all its resistance to heat, chemical, fire and electrical damage. Since the 19th century, asbestos has been heavily mined and extensively used in the construction industry but the use tremendously stopped after scientists discovered the carcinogenic effects of asbestos dust.

Asbestos use in Australia

A study revealed that about 60% of production and 90% of consumption of asbestos fibre in Australia alone occurred in the asbestos manufacturing industries. This cement was widely used in Australia until 2003 when the mineral was officially banned. However, studies reveal that since the 1960s, 25% of all new houses were clad in this mineral therefore estimating that any house that was renovated before 1990 most likely has traces of asbestos. As a response to evidence-based research from scientists on diseases associated with asbestos dust such as mesothelioma, the Australian government banned the mineral and locals started removing asbestos from their houses.

How dangerous is asbestos?

Asbestos has both direct and indirect risks. For miners for example, prolonged inhalation of the dust lead to diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a type of pneumoconiosis. A laundry attendant who handles clothes that have been exposed to asbestos also faces the same risks as the miner, though indirect. Generally, an activity that causes the release of loose asbestos is considered as a high risk exposure. 

How can I identify asbestos in my home?

A general rule as earlier mentioned is that any house constructed or renovated before 1990 has a high chance of asbestos and needs to be removed. Houses constructed after the 2003 ban need a laboratory analysis to positively identify asbestos before necessary removal is conducted. 

In Australia, National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) has a directory for accredited analytical laboratories within Australia. For example if you live in Brisbane, NATA will give you a list of all analytical laboratories within the area where ProAsbestosRemovalBrisbane.com.au is one them.

The cost for asbestos identification varies. Blind testing for asbestos is more expensive than testing the material with a presumption that it contains asbestos. It is also prudent to have the results confirmed before you undertake any asbestos removal process.

Possible asbestos location in your home

This information is important because it helps you take relevant samples to the laboratories even though in most cases, the laboratory assistants will personally collect the samples. These include various locations within your bathroom, toilet and laundry, living areas, kitchen, backyard and your vehicle. 

Safe asbestos removal

• Using professionals

The need to remove asbestos is clear but there has to be a procedure to safely remove it to avoid further exposure. In Australia, the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations have detailed competency and training requirements for all asbestos assessors, removal workers and supervisors. The model currently has two classes of licences, class A and class B. Class A licence allows the professional to remove all types of asbestos inclusive of non-friable and friable asbestos while a class B licence only authorizes for the removal of non-friable asbestos.

• Removing asbestos yourself

Individuals are legally allowed in Brisbane for example to remove asbestos from the property but because of the health risk it poses during removal, packaging and disposal, authorities still encourage the locals to engage a licensed removal expert.

It is imperative to remove asbestos from our home or office. This is a highly dangerous job that requires adherence to safety measures and high technical skills. For this reason, investing in a licensed asbestos assessor, removal expert and supervisor is mandatory. Special attire is recommended for this procedure to reduce the risk of exposure also making this a significantly costly affair but worth your investment. Find time and get a credible asbestos removal expert near you today.

What To Expect From A Asbestos Removal Company – Guide For Brisbane

Asbestos was a commonly used as a construction material back in the 20th century until its banning in 1999. This naturally occurring silicate mineral was used for its properties which include insulation, fire resistance and corrosion resistance. After links were established between this compound and a variety of lung diseases including lung cancer asbestos has been banned from use. However, some homes and buildings still feature the compound and many people have been removing it to reduce chances of exposure. Since the compound is potentially very harmful, its removal is only approved for professional experts of Pro Asbestos Removal Brisbane  who have the right procedures and equipment. There are many companies that specialize in removing asbestos from homes and buildings. Here is a description of the risks, when to remove asbestos and what to expect from an asbestos removal company – guide for Brisbane families.

Negative impacts of asbestos

The use of asbestos can be traced back to 3000 years ago although it became very popular in the 1900s. It is known for its crystal nature and it also produces a dust that contains asbestos fibers. When inhaled, this dust has the potential to cause various pulmonary and lung illnesses. What’s concerning is that the illnesses may take a while to surface and those exposed may not realize its symptoms until very late. Some of the diseases that have been linked with asbestos exposure include;

• Asbestosis – This is an inflammatory condition that affects the lungs and causes shortness of breath. It also causes coughing and may lead to lung scarring which makes it very difficult to breath.

• Mesothelioma – This is a rare type of cancer affecting lung linings, chest cavities and sometimes the abdomen.

• Lung problems – These are a group of diseases and conditions that affect the lungs and include pleural plaques, pleural effusion and fluid collection on chest and lung cavities

Inhaling or exposure to asbestos has also been linked to other cancers that affect the kidney, gut, gallbladder, voice box and brain among others.

When to remove asbestos

Although governments all over the world including in Australia already prohibited the use of asbestos in construction, buildings that date earlier than 1999 may sill have the compound. There have been many removals done on rusty buildings and people who fear risk of exposure are often advised to get rid of the substance. However, the danger of exposure is so great that only professional experts are allowed to partake in asbestos removal. There are tools used in safe removal as well as safety garments that protect removers from exposure. Home or office owners may not have the appropriate tools, protective elements or even correct removal procedures. It is therefore always advisable to contract experts if you need the asbestos in your house or building removed. Not all asbestos must be removed. In fact, some are safely sealed and still in non-risky conditions. Such asbestos should be left alone since they do not pose immediate danger. Nonetheless, the risk increases as it gets older since it is at this stage that it can tear and release fibrous dust that causes all the ill-effects. It is therefore advised to conduct frequent checks to ensure the asbestos or asbestos containing material, ACM is not rusty and old. The best resolution is to call a professional licensed asbestos remover to handle such matters.

What to expect from removers

Since the banning of asbestos, many removing companies have emerged to facilitate the elimination of this lethal compound from our homes. There are a few things to consider when looking for an asbestos removal company as well as services to expect from them. Some companies are less professional and their capacity to effectively remove all asbestos compounds from your home may be dented. To find the best removal company, reliability, professionalism, capacity, experience, customer service quality, reputation, credibility and affordability are only the basic considerations. Some of the things to expect from a professional and experienced asbestos removal company include the following;

• Licensing – Always ensure the company is licensed to offer their removal services in Brisbane. This is a kind of guarantee that they are professionals.

• Tools and equipment – The company must have sufficient, effective and recommended asbestos removal tools as well as protective garment. It is always recommended that people leave the building during removal although this may not be possible at times. Protective garments may therefore be provided to those who are in close or surrounding rooms.

• Test and assessment – When the professionals first arrive at your building, they will conduct an assessment of the house to determine whether existing asbestos should be removed or left alone. As aforementioned, some asbestos are best if just sealed and left to be rather than tampering with them since they do not pose immediate danger.

• Quote – This is of course a basic expectation. Expect a quote detailing all the services and their rates. The quote can be issued before of after assessment as desired. Request the quote earlier and compare different companies to effectively plan your budget.

• Preparation and evacuation – After it has been determined that the asbestos or ACM should be removed, the building will be prepared. This involves evacuating inhabitants and covering property. Asbestos dust may settle on other surfaces including chairs, hallways and in-house items if not keenly removed. This would be very dangerous when people are later exposed. Preparation of the removal scene is therefore important since it ensures the asbestos compound does not escape and settle on other surfaces. This dust must always be contained otherwise the risk of exposure to everyone living under the building can greatly increase.

• Reconstruction and sealing – After removing the compound, the removal company then repairs the damages made on the surface and seals it to prevent any dusts trapped in inside crevices from ever getting out.

There are other minor things to expect. However, every procedure should be aimed at containing the asbestos dust and preventing exposure with all efforts.

Conclusion

Asbestos removal can help save you a myriad of lung diseases and complications. However, it is important to note that not all asbestos have immediate cause for danger. You should always contract a licensed professional to prevent the risk of exposure. With that said, there are many companies offering this removal in Queensland Australia and finding an expert should not be daunting.

Check the info,if you need to know about Asbestos Information

A Guide to Asbestos Removal

Asbestos was a widely used fibrous construction material between the 1940s and the 1980s. Its tensile strength, heat resistant property and durability made it a very effective building material. Its production was on a full swing until its toxic effects on human health were discovered recently in the 1980s. 

If you suspect asbestos presence in your house, it is mandatory for you to follow the article thoroughly. This is your Asbestos Removal guide-Northern side Brisbane.’ As you read along you will know the toxic effects of asbestos and various steps to take for its removal. You will also know the possible places and materials which might contain asbestos to help you beware of them.

Visit Pro Asbestos Removal Brisbane to get Professional advice and recommendations

How dangerous is asbestos?

Asbestos is highly toxic to inhale. The minute fibrous particles though invisible to our eyes, will leave a long lasting effect on our lungs causing lung cancer if inhaled for a prolonged duration. Asbestosis and Mesothelioma are some other fatal diseases which are a result of concentrated and prolonged asbestos inhalation.

Which materials are likely to have asbestos in them?

Asbestos is generally found in two forms- solid form, where the asbestos is mixed with cement and the second is the fibrous form. The latter is the deadliest. Fibrous asbestos is a dry crumbly powder which breaks down with little a pressure, spreading the dangerous fibers into the air, inhaling which will have fatal consequences. The effect of solid asbestos is very low as the fibers are tightly held by the cement. Nevertheless, they pose health risks too. 

Unfortunately, it is next to impossible to find the presence of asbestos in the materials. But, if your house was manufactured before the 1980s, it is highly likely that your house has asbestos containing material in it. The sampling tests conducted by licensed agencies on your is the only way to be sure of its presence.

The possible places where asbestos might be lurking in your are as follows:

• Roofing sheets-carports and patios

• Claddings-external and internal

• Fencing sheets

• Gutter, rainwater pipes and water tanks

• Insulation of electrical equipment

• Ceiling tiles etc

How to remove asbestos?

This article isn’t a self help guide to the removal of Asbestos. Asbestos is a highly dangerous substance and shouldn’t be handled by individuals in any circumstance. Don’t risk your life and the life of your families by being careless around the material.

Once the sampling tests have confirmed the presence of asbestos, it is mandatory that you call a Licensed and reliable Asbestos removal agencies for the removal and safe disposal of the asbestos. Any form of asbestos, be it in your ceiling or under the carpets, must be removed by professionally trained licensed individuals.

Only after the contractor confirms that your house is free from asbestos you can enter your house again.

Regions of Brisbane which have a high risk of asbestos:

Acacia, Ridge, Albion, Alderley, Annerley, Archerfield, Ascot, Ashgrove, Auchenflower, Bald Hills, Balmoral, Belmont Bowen,  Hills Bracken, Cambridgeshire, Downs Brighton Brisbane, BulimbaCarindale, CarseldineChapel HillChelmer, Chermside, Chermside,  West Clayfield Coopers, Plains Corinda,  Darra Deagon, Durack Dutton,  Park Eagle, Farm East Brisbane, Eight Mile Plains Enoggera, Reservoir Everton,  Park Fairfield,  Fig Tree Pocket, Fitzgibbon Fortitude  Valley,  Geebung Gordon,  Park Graceville , Grange Greenslopes, Hamilton Hawthorne, Hemmant Hendra, Herston Highgate,  HillHolland Park Inala Indooroopilly, Jamboree Hts Kangaroo, Point Karawatha Kedron, Kelvin Grove Kenmore, Kenmore Hills Keperra, Lotalut Wycherley, Lytton Macgregor Manly, Manly etc

Suburbs:

Algester, Anstead, Aspley Banks, Creek Banyo, Bardon, Boondall, Brookfield, Burbank,  Calamvale Camp,  Hill Cannon,  Hill Capalaba,  West Carina, Carina, Heights Carole, Park Chandler, Chuwar Coorparoo, Ellen Grove, England Creek Ferny, Grove Gaythorne, Gumdale Jindalee Karana, Downs Kholo Kuraby, Lara pinta,  Mackenzie Mcdowall, Middle Park,  Mt Coot-tha, Mt Ommaney, Nudgee Parkinson Pinjarra, Hills Richlands, Robertson Runcorn Sinnamon, Park Stretton Sumner, Sunny bank, Sunny bank Hills, Tennyson, The Gap, Upper Brookfield etc

Warning:

If you suspect the presence of asbestos in any part of your house, it is highly important for you to leave the suspected area undisturbed and contact the local sampling agencies to test the area for asbestos presence. If loose asbestos dust is encountered in your house, the best thing you would do is not disturb it. It is mandatory for you and your family to contact licensed asbestos removal company for anything related to asbestos cleaning and removal.

Stay safe from this deadly material.