asbestos building
What Is Asbestos???
What is Asbestos???
Asbestos was used in a wide range of products manufactured between the 1940s and the 1980s. Asbestos has been used in sheeting/cladding, roofing, thermal and electrical insulation, molded fittings, water cisterns, rainwater gutters, down pipes, pressure pipes, underground drainage and sewer pipes, sills, copings, chalkboards, fascias, infill panels, cement pipe and sheets, floor tiles, gaskets, friction materials, coatings, plastics, textiles, paper, and other products (ATSDR 2001, NICNAS 1999). Asbestos is popular among building industry because of the following factors: cost effective, high chemical and physical resilience.
Asbestos is a natural fiber which can float in air. High levels of exposure to these fibres over a prolonged period of time increase the likelihood of respiratory diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Australian government is taking tremendous steps to increase awareness about asbestos. The Queensland Government’s Asbestos Management and Control Policy for Government Buildings requires the progressive removal of high risk ACM, with an overall objective of eventually having asbestos-free workplaces in government controlled buildings.
Most of the products made now a days do not contain asbestos. However products which are made before 1970s contains asbestos, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. These are the products that might have contained asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibres: Steam pipes, boilers, furnace ducts, floor titles, cement sheet, millboard, door gaskets, sound proofing, decorative materials, patching and joint compounds, textured paints, asbestos cement roofing, shingles, siding, fireproof gloves, stove-top pads, ironing board covers, automobile break pads and linings, clutch facings, gaskets etc.
Asbestos containing material is difficult to identify, the only accurate method to confirm the presence of asbestos is through laboratory testing. So don’t hesitate call an asbestos inspector for a complete inspection of your building.
About the Author
Donald Pitt QBM’s General Manager is a true professional with over 35 years experience in the building industry. Don has operated successful building, maintenance and asbestos auditing and removal for over 20 years.
Don has gained extensive experience in building and asbestos management practices through senior positions within the Queensland Government. Don has been Branch Manager within the Department of Housing where he instigated asset management of the 52,000 property portfolio covering all building aspects including asbestos identification.
IBCC Asbestos in Building long version
