Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are composed of very thin common needle-like fibres. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause several very serious and potentially deadly diseases including cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. While there is no debating the effectiveness of asbestos as a building material, the potential risks that it presents to those it is exposed to has led to it being banned in countries around the world including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Great Britain, and Island just to name if you. Notably, the United States is yet to place a ban on asbestos materials.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be pulled into a fluffy consistency that makes it ideal 4 insulation. Asbestos fibres are flexible, very soft, and resistant to heat electricity and corrosion which makes them an ideal building material. However, it is the same qualities that made them so good as a building material that also makes them highly toxic when exposed to.
There is a chance that if these materials are undisturbed and are not causing any harm, they will go unnoticed and do not need immediate replacing. However, as soon as an asbestos related material becomes damaged, wears, or is broken, the asbestos becomes friable and the fibres are then toxic.
Once potentially dangerous asbestos has been identified, the next step for dealing with asbestos materials is to have it removed from the site before it causes any more harm. DIY asbestos removal is completely unsafe and Asbestos Victoria strongly recommend homeowners do not remove asbestos alone.
Finding a handyman or a friend who is willing to perform the removal for a much lower price than a professional may quote may also be tempting. Nationwide Asbestos specialists GBAR Group advise against utilising someone without a license, and to remove the risk by calling a professional.
There are many reasons to rely and use a licensed removalist for asbestos, at the end of the day it all comes down to keeping your home, family and yourself healthy and safe.
Dangers of Asbestos Removal
Removal of asbestos itself is a harmful and dangerous task in itself, so it is best to leave it to those who are trained and licensed in the industry. Asbestos fibres are incredibly toxic when airborne, and if the materials are handled incorrectly or moved, they pose a huge risk to those breathing the air around. Asbestos Removalists have the education and supplies to handle asbestos materials in the correct manner to ensure safety for everyone.
Identifying Asbestos
Another reason to rely on a licensed professional for asbestos removal is that they have the experience and knowledge to correctly identify asbestos and have the resources to test it. To the common eye, many building materials that are containing asbestos may look completely safe, or a dangerous looking material may not actually contain asbestos. Without the correct resources, experience and knowledge, it can be really hard to detect any suspecting asbestos and in turn, incredibly dangerous for those working or living in the building.
