Asbestos Threat is

Everywhere The threat of

asbestos-containing
material (ACM)
seems like almost
everywhere. From
commercial
premises to a public
infrastructure, most
are infected by the
presence of this
dangerous
substance.
An ACM was found at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Two different blocks of the facility
were installed with materials containing dangerous fibres. Apparently, a sub-
contractor violated the protocol of asbestos there. The workers were believed to
have been exposed to the fibrous material. It was due to improper procedures
regarding the removal of asbestos in the hospitals older building.
Another finding of this hazardous material was on a science kit. The students at a
primary school in Launceston were examining kits bought by the school. The toxic
material contained in the kit was leucotile or also known as chrysotile, the white
fibrous material. It was about the size of a thumbnail rock sample, nearly like a
pebble. Parents were shocked to know that some students examining mineral
containing dangerous fibres.

Reference:http://asbestoswatchlaunceston.com.au/asbestos-removal-
launceston/
Raise Your Awareness
With the increasing incidence of ACM findings, everyone should be alert to the
possible dangers of fibrous materials in working places or residential buildings.
Having the knowledge concerning fibrous material will help in case an incident
happens.
In Australia, the ACM was extensively used in construction and other industries in
between 1946 and 1980. It was a name given to a group of six naturally occurring
fibrous minerals including:
Chrysotile
Anthophyllite
Amosite
Crocidolite
Tremolite
Asbestos Removal Launceston: Identifying, Removal and Solution

It has been known for a quite a long time that due to its tensile strength, flexibility,
chemical inertness, insulation from heat and electricity and affordability, the ACM was
believed to be one of the most versatile minerals.
All those reasons are enough to attract many industries to use it. There are more than
3,000 applications worldwide. In the world, Australia was one of the highest users of
fibrous materials per capita till the mid-1980s. The massive use of this substance left a
great legacy of hazardous materials in various buildings.

Where Can ACMs Possibly Be Identified?

ACM is categorised as friable and non-friable. Friable is a material containing harmful

fibres that can be crushed, pulverised, or reduced to a powder by a pressure of a
hand. When it is disturbed, it can get airborne and generate a health risk through
inhalation. Non-friable is a mixed of cement and a small amount of ACM, around 10-
15%. This latest type most commonly found in the construction industry.
Both types could pose a
serious health risk to the
environment if they are
not appropriately
managed or safely
removed. The risks are
caused by a contact with
airborne fibres. Airborne
fibres can be produced
by:
Weathering process
Damage
Constructing and/or managing work involving fibrous material
Demolition and/or removal of material containing harmful fibres
Unsafe disposal of fibrous materials
Land contaminated by hazardous fibres.
ACM products that were commonly used in the residential building was non-friable

asbestos cement (AC) materials, including:

Fencing
Roofing
Exterior and interior wall cladding
Eaves
Siding
Water or flue pipes
Thermal boards around fireplaces
For friable products that could be found in domestic buildings, including:
Backing material on floor tiles and vinyl flooring
Textured paints, decorative ceilings coating
Spray-on insulation or soundproofing
Rope door gaskets in wood stoves
Carpet underlay
Heat-resistant fabrics
Hail or fire damaged, or badly weathered AC materials
Brick and plaster sealants, fillers and adhesive products

FIY: AC materials can get friable when they are badly damaged, weathered or
deteriorated.

Reference:http://asbestoswatchlaunceston.com.au/asbestos-removal-
launceston/
The Ban of All Kinds of Fibrous Products

By the late 1980s, the use of ACMs in building materials was prohibited in most
Australian states and territories. The national ban on all uses of chrysotile type was
started to be applied on December 31, 2003. The ban also included the import and
export of all products containing ACMs.
Numbers of fibrous products used in the past still exist in todays buildings regardless
of the bans on mining and industrial use. The products are commonly found in many
residential, government and commercial buildings. Even worst, recent buildings built
after the 1990s are also possible to be installed with illegal fibrous products imported
from China like the hospital in Perth. Thus, it is important to check the presence of
any product containing hazardous fibres in every premise.
Identifying ACMs in a Building

The method for identifying any hazardous substance within a building is either by an
inspection or survey. The survey will involve a visual inspection. The activity also
includes a sampling. The collected samples are then sent to a lab. For a valid result
of the inspection or survey, it is recommended to hire a license-holder assessor.
Since it is a meticulous work, only a person who has attended trainings can locate the
areas that suspected of being installed with products containing harmful fibres.
Following the inspection or a survey is testing. For an accurate result, the testing of
the samples is recommended to be analysed in a NATA accredited laboratory. An
ACM register will be provided as the result of the test. It is a report that documents all
identified or suspected fibrous products in premises.
Solutions for your ACM Problems
Repair and removal are available methods for handling problems with products
containing dangerous fibres. For a minor damage of the ACM, repair, such as sealing
or painting is the applicable method. However, repair is only a momentary solution. In
the end, the material needs to be removed when its slowly become badly damaged.
Removal is needed for a more serious damaged product. If safety is your priority, you
should hire a professional removalist for this work although DIY is allowed. When you
plan DIY for asbestos removal, make sure you are familiar with the procedure of
removal to minimise the risk of exposure. It is necessary for you to prepare protective
kits as well before starting the project. The kits need to be readily available including:
Plastic sheet
Sealed plastic bags
P2 face mask
Eyewear
Gloves
Coverall
Footwear
Duct tape
Asbestos Removal Launceston Services
If the damage is too serious that no repair method is applicable then asbestos
removal is the only possible solution that strongly recommended. If you are confused
in choosing the best professional for the project, then Asbestos Watch Launceston is
your answer. We can help you find a qualified contractor for various jobs related to
products containing deadly fibres.
You can use our endorsed contractors for asbestos removal Launceston services.
Whether you need removal or testing, the contractors we endorsed have the excellent
skill to perform such services because they have the expertise and years of
experiences. They are fully A-class licensed and certified to handle the project. We
can ensure you that they will perform the services in compliance with the local and
national regulations.
Our member contractors have four core services for asbestos, including:
Asbestos removal
Asbestos testing
Asbestos roof removal
Asbestos management plan