After asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003, the conversation surrounding the consequences and effects of the fibre have subsided but for home renovators, home owners and DIYers, identifying and preventing asbestos exposure remains relevant.

What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was mined across Australia before the 1980s and predominantly found in imported cement materials for commercial or industrial projects, but in households, asbestos fibres were used as an insulating material.

Asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye, but its fibres can remain suspended in the air. When in good condition, asbestos remains bound together and poses a low risk, but when the bonded compounds become damaged, asbestos fibres are released and remain in the air, becoming a health risk if inhaled.

Could there be Asbestos in my house?
A total ban on asbestos materials came into effect in 2003 but houses built before 1990 can still contain traces of asbestos in the cement, ceilings, wall cladding or fences. If your home was constructed or renovated in the 1980s, or is an older style terrace home or townhouse, it is likely to contain elements of bonded asbestos.

Generally, asbestos can be found in wall and roof sheeting, splashbacks, downpipes, vinyl flooring, cement sheeting, garden sheds, imitation brick or cladding. Insulation in wood heaters. Corrugated walls, roof sheeting, guttering or imitation brick cladding. Kitchen splashbacks, garden sheds or buried waste materials.

Why is asbestos still relevant?
With the rising popularity of home renos and the DIY trend, education surrounding asbestos remains important. While minimal exposure to asbestos is a low health risk, keeping an eye out of a close by renovation or an incorrect removal of asbestos waste can expose fibres to surrounding families and breathing in dust can cause health complications.

In the past, construction workers in the past were most at risk but home renovators or exposed workers can carry fibres. Take appropriate measures to reduce personal exposure and prevent further exposure. Reduce your risk by:

• Know for certain if parts of your home contain traces of asbestos.
• Maintain products in good condition.
• Replace cement materials if they are damaged.

If I’ve identified Asbestos, what should I do?

Don’t take chances and be certain that any traces of asbestos are safe. If your home is likely to contain asbestos fibres or you reside near a renovation of an older property, safeguard your home and family by getting in touch with your local council or contacting a qualified and licensed asbestos expert. To remove or clean up traces of asbestos, always seek advice from your local asbestos experts.