Asbestos Removal and Safe Handling

Until recently, asbestos was widely used in construction of homes, offices and buildings. It was economical, weathered well and was an excellent insulation material. All went well until medical science began linking asbestos with cancer.

Today, most countries have banned the use of asbestos. But what of the asbestos that were used and are still embedded in people’s homes, offices and buildings?

So long as asbestos is in good condition, it is fairly stable and does not usually present a hazard. The problem usually starts when some renovation or repairs are carried out. Any work that affects asbestos that might be present in the building has the potential to release tiny asbestos fibres into the air. When these fibres are inhaled, they can accumulate in the lungs and result in cancer. The risk is significant to all those in the vicinity of the work being carried out and also those who might be in the air stream i.e. those living down-wind to the place where the work is being carried out.

Until recently, there were no safety regulations regarding the handling of asbestos. Workers were not warned / were un-informed as to the dangers it posed to their health and therefore wore no protective clothing. In the absence of regulations, even employers who knew of the dangers to health did not warn the workers. It was only when illnesses related to asbestos peaked in late 60’s and early 70’s that the governments stepped in. Today, most countries have fairly strong regulations governing the handling of asbestos. Failure to follow these regulations leads to heavy fines and even prison terms.

Water quality Monitoring in the Home

Today, asbestos related illness is found mostly amongst the do-it-yourself (DIY) type of folk. Use of asbestos might have been outlawed but tens of thousands of homes built before 80’s still contain significant quantities of asbestos in one form or the other. The DIY folks to repair their own homes are today at most risk to asbestos related illness. Unaware of the dangers posed to their health, they continue to repair roofs, walls flooring, tiling etc. If the house was constructed before the 1980’s, chances are that the material they handle might contain significant quantities of asbestos. If your house is pre-80’s it is advisable to get it inspected for possible asbestos use.

Asbestos in the Workplace

Just as there are tens of thousands of homes that were built before the 80’s and contain significant quantities of asbestos, so too there are tens of thousands of office buildings built during that same period and also containing significant quantities of asbestos.

The law as it stands today requires the building owners to have in place, an Legionella Testing Australia plan. The plan requires the building owner to identify all material within the building that might contain asbestos. The plan also requires the owner to inform, educate staff who might come into contact with such asbestos impregnated material. So long as the asbestos is in good condition, there is no danger but any asbestos that might be exposed or mishandled needs to be removed by professionals trained in handling asbestos. The law requires that all such buildings be regularly inspected and certified as safe.

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