Asbestos testing is one of the crucial steps in identifying and managing the hidden dangers in commercial and residential properties. If your home was built in Sydney prior to 1990, there is a chance that it will contain some type of asbestos material. Asbestos was considered the ideal construction material until it was later discovered to be a silent killer. Asbestos consists of six different minerals including chrysotile, amosite and tremolite, which are all hazardous to human health. If you are living on a property or working at commercial premises with some form of asbestos problem, it is critical to conduct asbestos testing to unmask this hidden danger. Let’s help you unmask this hidden danger.
Why testing and inspecting for asbestos is critical
The first step to asbestos removal is to ascertain how much asbestos is in the property. Asbestos was officially banned in Australia from December 2003 and with the probability that one in three homes in Australia built before the 1990s contains asbestos, the importance of testing and inspecting for asbestos is paramount to ensure you are prioritising your health.
Inspecting your home for asbestos is not straightforward and can only be confirmed by laboratory testing as per the Australian Standard AS 4964-2004: qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples using a number of steps. Asbestos sample testing is the most appropriate standard for asbestos testing, which involves viewing fibres and different conditions to confirm the presence and type of asbestos.
Testing for asbestos should be the first port of call for the following reasons:
- Exposure to asbestos can be fatal, with associated health risks such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
- Asbestos fibres are microscopic, and many people undertaking DIY work on properties built or renovated prior to the 1990s can mistakenly expose themselves to asbestos fibres.
- Asbestos is only present in the air when it is disturbed and must be identified in safe circumstances. If the fibres are inhaled they could become trapped, resulting in serious health problems later in life.
Undertaking tests for asbestos
If you discover asbestos in your home the most important thing to remember is to not touch it. We cannot identify asbestos by looking at it and this is where the sample needs to be tested. At About The House, we help detect this silent killer with our asbestos testing kit, but additionally, you should do the following:
Leave it alone
This is something we cannot overemphasise. Asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition should be left alone and generally will not release asbestos fibres unless they are disturbed.
Limit access to the area and do not disturb it
If you believe something to contain asbestos while waiting for professionals to undertake asbestos sample testing, use a wet cloth to mop up any asbestos residue. Vacuuming or sweeping will disrupt the particles and disperse them into the air so this should be avoided.
Restrict the area
Cover it with a plastic tarp and make sure to keep children or pets away.
What happens if you find asbestos?
If the asbestos testing kit highlights any potential asbestos problems in your property, there are a couple of options to deal with it:
- Leave it in place if it is unlikely to be disturbed. This can be managed with ongoing reinspection on an annual basis.
- Safely remove and dispose of the material. If you are concerned as to the impact of having asbestos in your home or the material is deteriorating it is essential to remove and dispose of it as soon as possible. Depending on the conditions and where the asbestos is in the property it will need to be removed by a trained professional.
At About The House, we deal with asbestos problems proactively including the safe removal of this hazardous material with a safety-first approach that will never put you or your loved ones in danger.
The importance of removing asbestos
Asbestos is a very serious problem, and as many homes can contain this hidden danger, it is important to unmask this as soon as possible. If you are considering removing asbestos Central Coast companies like About The House can ensure this hazardous material is disposed of safely and securely, without causing any more stress than is necessary.
Many people looking for the home of their dreams find an issue like asbestos to be a deal breaker. But this is where we can help and ensure that, if you believe a property to contain asbestos, we test it. If there is no asbestos present, you have peace of mind, but if there is, we can also get to work at removing it to ensure that you are healthy and happy in your home.