Q: What is asbestos and why is it so dangerous?
A: The below is thanks to asbestoswise.com.au
Asbestos is a generic name that is given to a group of fibrous silicate materials that occur naturally in the environment.
For many decades asbestos was mined and widely used. Due to its unique combination of flexibility, tensile strength, insulation and chemical inertness it became widely used by industry from the 1800s. Asbestos fibres are 50 to 200 times thinner than a human hair, can float in the air for a long time, can be invisible to the naked eye and can be breathed into the lungs.
Asbestos fibres can split down, reducing in size until they are small enough to travel deep into the body where they pierce the lining of the lungs. The body does not have a mechanism for removing materials from this deep within the lungs and as the asbestos fibres are embedded in the lining, they will remain in the body for the rest of a person’s life. Asbestos related diseases are caused by the inhalation or ingestion of these particles of asbestos. The diseases caused by exposure include asbestosis, pleural plaques, lung cancer, mesothelioma and cancer of the intestinal tract.
If you would like more information about Asbestos please click here
Q: How can I tell if I have asbestos in my house/office?
A: Most houses built before 1983 have asbestos sheeting somewhere in the dwelling (almost always in the laundry, bathroom and/or toilet) or outside in cladding or shingles. Asbestos corrugated roofing and cladding continued production until 1985 when it was fazed out and all asbestos products where finally banned on December 31, 2003. During the period 1983-2003 asbestos products were used from left over stock, so unfortunately is pretty hard to tell with out proper testing (Adelaide Recycled Timbers is able to get samples and have them tested for you). Even after the ban some asbestos containing products have been imported.
Q: How much does it cost to have asbestos removed?
A: Most people think it is going to cost more than actually does, give Glynn a call to organise a free quote appointment
Q: Can I remove Asbestos myself?
A: It is possible, but is it really worth the risk? Even one asbestos fibre is potentially dangerous to your health!. Legally you are able to remove upto 10m2 of asbestos yourself as long as you follow SafeWork SA’s procedures. Anything over 10m2 must be done by an approved contractor with an asbestos removal license. Another thing to consider is disposing the asbestos which must be correctly packaged and taken to a waste station with an asbestos license.