.If you find asbestos in your home;
Asbestos is the generic term given for a mineral fibre occurring in a fibrous form from certain types of asbestos rock. Asbestos is only a risk when it crumbles and fine dust fibres are released into the air and breathed into the lungs. Asbestos related diseases include asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibres were used widely in building materials before the mid 1980s. If your house was built or renovated before the mid 1980s, it is likely to contain asbestos cement building materials.
Products made from bonded asbestos cement included fibro sheeting (flat and corrugated), water, drainage and flue pipes, roofing shingles and guttering.
If asbestos containing material is in sound condition and left undisturbed it generally will not present a significant health risk. If asbestos fibres remain firmly bound in a solid cement sheet or structure such as in ‘fibro’ sheeting, you do not usually need to remove the fibro or even coat it.
If you are thinking of renovating your home or undertaking any other work with asbestos materials it is recommended that you visit http://www.thinkasbestos.com.au/ for all the information you need on identification, handling and disposing of asbestos.
Council recommends that you use a licensed asbestos removal contractor to remove all materials containing asbestos.
