Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials throughout the 20th century due to its strength, fire resistance, and insulating properties. In Australia, asbestos use was especially prevalent from the 1940s until the late 1980s. It was incorporated into thousands of products, particularly in the construction industry, before its health hazards became fully recognized. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, which has led to its phased ban, culminating in a complete ban in Australia by December 2003.
In Australian homes built before the mid-1980s, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are commonly found in a variety of locations. One of the most common places is in cement sheeting (also known as “fibro”), which was used in walls, ceilings, and eaves. These materials were often used in both interior and exterior applications, particularly in bathrooms, laundries, and garages. Asbestos cement was also used in fences, roofs, and sometimes even in water and drainage pipes.
Flooring is another area where asbestos might be present. Vinyl floor tiles and the backing of linoleum or sheet vinyl may contain asbestos. The adhesive used to secure these products to floors might also include asbestos. In addition, older carpet underlay made from hessian bags that previously held asbestos could pose a risk. These hidden materials may not present an immediate threat if left undisturbed, but renovations and home repairs can release dangerous fibres into the air if proper precautions are not taken.
Ceiling insulation in Australian homes generally does not contain asbestos, but exceptions exist, particularly in homes that used loose-fill asbestos insulation. One example is the “Mr Fluffy” insulation that was used in some homes in the Australian Capital Territory and parts of New South Wales during the 1960s and 1970s. This loose-fill asbestos insulation is especially hazardous because it can spread easily through wall cavities and air systems, making complete removal difficult and expensive.
Safe handling and awareness are essential, as many homes still contain asbestos materials decades after their construction, posing ongoing health risks if improperly managed.
Dealing With Asbestos
Generally, most of the public are aware that asbestos is a dangerous material, however most are not aware at just how many places asbestos is found in Australian homes.
Asbestos roofing and fencing is easily identifiable, however asbestos is also found in other places such as eaves, wall sheeting and even within vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive that is used. The best way to identify asbestos is to have a small sample tested. This will tell you for certain if the material you are dealing with is asbestos.
In Queensland, it is legal to remove a certain amount of asbestos, but this does not mean it’s not without risk. Safety precautions should still be taken to minimise the exposure to airborne asbestos particles. Even the vacuums used by asbestos removalists are specifically designed to minimise the chance of dust passing through the vacuum and back into the atmosphere. A standard household vacuum would circulate the fine dust particles back into the air, creating a health hazard.
For more information on dealing with asbestos in Queensland, please visit the government link below:
