Asbestos is a highly-effective and inexpensive fire-retardant material and thermal and acoustic insulator. This mineral also has excellent friction and wear resistance. It’s a natural mineral composed of thin fibres. This material is called a hidden killer because you can’t see its fibres.
When asbestos materials are disturbed, the fibres are released. Inhaling these fibres can lead to different lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. However, these diseases may develop only after years of exposure. Most asbestos-related diseases are diagnosed at least 15 years after exposure [1].
A good way of avoiding asbestos exposure is to know about asbestos materials in your home, knowing their locations and identifying them. This guide on identifying asbestos materials can help you protect yourself and your family from exposure.
Australia has the second-highest mesothelioma death rate in the world, next to the United Kingdom [2]. Such a high incidence corresponds to the country’s extensive history of asbestos usage.
The mining and manufacture of asbestos and asbestos-related products happened in Australia for most of the 20th century and was widespread until the 1980s [3]. During that period, James Hardie Industries led the Australian asbestos market, manufacturing a wide range of insulation and building products. The company was involved with the mining, distribution and manufacture of asbestos and other related products.
In 1898, British factory safety inspectors already expressed concern about the ‘evil effects’ of asbestos dust. Inspector of Factories and Shops in Western Australia also reported on the effect of asbestos dust on the lungs of workers in the James Hardie factory in Perth in 1935. Nevertheless, in 1940, Lang Hancock still mined at Wittenoom when he discovered blue asbestos (crocidolite) deposits in the area. Their plant opened in 1943. In 2008, the Department of Environment and Conservation classified Wittenoom as a contaminated site [4].
Finally, on December 31, 2003, an Australia-wide ban on the manufacture and use of all types of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) took effect. Afterwards, different laws, programmes and institutions related to asbestos, including awareness, its management and eradication, were established throughout Australia.
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Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals found in rock formations. These minerals include the serpentine mineral chrysotile (white asbestos) and the five amphibole minerals (actinolite, amosite or brown asbestos, anthophyllite, crocidolite or blue asbestos and tremolite). Serpentine asbestos has curly fibres made up of sheets of crystals, whereas amphibole asbestos has needle-shaped fibres. Tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite are minor types, while chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite are the main types used in building work [5]. Despite the differences in colours and properties, all of these types are dangerous.
1. Chrysotile
Chrysotile, which is also known as white asbestos, is the most commonly used type and often contaminated with trace amounts of tremolite. Its fibres are fine in texture and exhibit high flexibility, as well as good heat resistance. These properties make chrysotile ideal for use in cement, brake pads/linings, roofing materials and insulation for pipes, ducts and appliances.
2.Crocidolite
Crocidolite or blue asbestos was commonly used to insulate steam engines, as well as in spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, plastics and cement products. It has very thin fibres, which easily enter the lungs when inhaled. They are brittle in nature, which causes them to easily break down and lead to asbestos exposure. As a result, crocidolite is one of the most harmful types of asbestos.
3.Amosite
Amosite or brown asbestos is notably strong and heat resistant. It was commonly used in cement sheet, plumbing insulation and electrical insulation. Although all types of asbestos are toxic, exposure to brown asbestos has a higher cancer risk than those of other types.
5.Actinolite
Actinolite fibres are generally dark in colour, and they expand when heated. That’s why actinolite is commonly used in insulation materials and structural fire-proofing.
6.Anthophyllite
Anthophyllite fibres are grey-brown in colour, and they are commonly found as a contaminant in composite flooring. Similar to tremolite, it is not commercially used, yet it was regularly used in vermiculite and talc-containing products.
1. Friable asbestos
Friable asbestos has soft, crumbly or loose fibres. It has been commonly used in commercial and industrial settings, for construction, insulation, fireproofing and soundproofing. Friable asbestos products are friable in nature, which makes them more hazardous than those with non-friable asbestos.
2. Non-friable asbestos
Non-friable asbestos has bonded or solid fibres. As long as it is in good condition or not disturbed, non-friable asbestos is generally safe because it does not easily release fibres. In such condition, products with non-friable asbestos are considered low risk.
What does asbestos look like?
Asbestos comes in many colours, shapes and forms, and its fibres are considerably small. However, it can’t be seen by the naked eye. Unless it is labelled, you can’t easily tell if a certain material contains asbestos just by looking at it.
What does asbestos smell like?
Airborne asbestos fibres have no smell or odour. Nevertheless, if you are working in the industry, you may have been accustomed to other materials that do ‘smell’ in which asbestos is near, coated on, covering or hanging from.
Many products today do not contain asbestos. However, asbestos can still be found in many old building products and materials. Despite the bans, residents are still at risk for mesothelioma because of older construction, residential and commercial buildings.
ACMs were still commonly used in the construction and renovation of homes in Australia until the mid-1980s. Some of the products were also still used until the early 1990s.
As a general rule, if a home was built or renovated in Australia [6]:
The following are common places at home where you can possibly find ACMs [7].
Asbestos cannot be simply found by looking at the materials at home. If it can’t be seen nor smelled, how do you identify when asbestos is around?
The most accurate way to determine whether asbestos is present in your house is to have it inspected by a professional or a NATA accredited laboratory.
Asbestos experts can conduct an asbestos survey, which is commonly undertaken within a structure, building or property to identify ACMs. The surveyors will gather information about the structure, including the date it was built and the dates of work carried out. This will provide them with an indication of the materials that were likely used during construction work. Later on, they will survey the building or structure to identify the exact location of asbestos.
If the asbestos-containing materials are in good condition, better leave them alone unless. When left undisturbed, non-friable asbestos will pose no health risk. However, even if the materials with asbestos are in good condition but they are likely to be exposed or damaged, let them be assessed and managed by a professional.
References
[1] “Guide to Asbestos in the Home.” Asbestos.Com, www.asbestos.com/exposure/home.
[2] Selby, Karen. “Mesothelioma in Australia.” Asbestos.Com, 26 Feb. 2021, www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/australia.
[3] “James Hardie Asbestos Victims Compensation Background Facts.” Internet Archive, www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/12563/Corporate_Services_Report_Item_7_Appendix_A.pdf.
[4] “History of Asbestos.” Australian Government Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, www.asbestossafety.gov.au/about-asbestos/history-asbestos.
[5] Anderson, Richard. “What Is Asbestos?” High Speed Training, 30 Jan. 2017, www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/what-is-asbestos.
[6] “About Asbestos.” Government of South Australia, www.asbestos.sa.gov.au/about-asbestos.
[7] “Asbestos - a Guide for Householders and the General Public.” Australian Government Department of Health, www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-enhealth-asbestos-may2012.htm/$File/asbestos-feb13.pdf.