What Is Asbestos?

What is Asbestos, and Why is it so Dangerous?

Asbestos can be incredibly dangerous, and asbestos removal requires experts like us.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in various industries and building materials due to its unique properties, such as heat resistance, durability, fire resistance, and insulating capabilities.

In years past, people viewed asbestos as a versatile product. It efficiently and inexpensively reduces heat, and it was used in many products. The problem is if it enters the body, particularly the lungs. The body’s antibodies attack foreign particles that enter the body and break them down for elimination. Unfortunately, asbestos is a base mineral that will not break down. In simple terms, the body will build up antibodies around the asbestos, ending up with an undissolved lump.

Health Risks

Over time and in larger quantities, this led to many health problems, such as lung cancer, Asbestosis, and Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs and other organs. A national ban on all forms of asbestos occurred on 31 December 2003. The ban includes a prohibition on work involving asbestos or ACM in workplaces. It aims to reduce health risks.

The level of risk is dependent on time and degree of exposure. Asbestos fibres are generally placed into two categories, friable or non-friable, and again, using simple terms, there is the risk of them being airborne. Non-friable is often called “bonded” or mixed with or within another product. This reduces the air-born risk compared to friable, easily disturbed and can float in the air for a long time. Remember that these asbestos particles can be as small as 1/200th of the width of a single human hair.

Types of Asbestos

The most common types of asbestos used in Australia have been:

Chrysotile (white asbestos): The most used example, Chrysotile, is white with soft, curly fibres.

Amosite (brown asbestos): has straight grey-to-brown fibres, and people use it where they need more strength. This included the manufacture of asbestos-cement pipes.

Crocidolite (blue asbestos): Blue Asbestos has fine, straight blue fibres for projects requiring acid resistance.

How We Resolve the Issue

If you find asbestos in a product or building, leave it alone and seek specialist advice through organisations such as Breathe Easy Asbestos Removal (B.E.A.R.) and Demolition.

With over 60 years of combined experience in the business, we pride ourselves on our quality service and customer satisfaction.

We also have an A-class asbestos removal licence, which means we have all the skills, knowledge, experience, and the best tools and techniques our industry offers to handle this highly sensitive and hazardous asbestos.

Benefits Of Our Service

Asbestos removal offers various benefits, primarily centred around protecting human health, ensuring safety, and complying with environmental regulations.