How to check your home for asbestos
If asbestos is present in your home, it’s likely your home and contents insurer won’t cover you in the event of exposure – or anything to do with asbestos, in fact. So, before you purchase a new home or do any structural work to your current one, it’s essential to educate yourself about how to deal with asbestos.
According to Asbestos Awareness, asbestos-containing materials can be found in any Australian home built or renovated before 1987. A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that in New South Wales alone, 60 per cent of renovators were exposed to asbestos while working on their homes – and almost 40 per cent of them reported their children had also been exposed to it.
Inhaling asbestos fibres – particularly over a long period of time – can cause a number of life-threatening conditions, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and more.
Despite being banned in 2003, it’s believed one in three Aussie homes contain asbestos – and it’s not just in fibro homes. Asbestos can be found anywhere, including brick and weatherboard homes and even in apartments.
Where to look
Asbestos may be present in a number of places on your property, including:
- Insulation for hot water pipes and tanks
- Eaves, gables, gutters and downpipes
- Internal and external ventilators
- Kitchen splashbacks and “Tilux” marble finish wall panelling
- Garages, sheds, outhouses and dog kennels
- Vinyl floor tiles/sheets, carpet underlay and compressed asbestos sheet cement flooring
- Electrical meter board backing
- Wall sheeting
- Insulation below wood heater and fireplace flues
- External angle mouldings
- Loose-fill insulation in roof cavity
- Ridge capping and corrugated asbestos cement roofing
- Fencing
How to identify it
When asbestos materials are sealed, undisturbed and in good condition, there is very little chance of harmful fibres escaping, therefore no action needs to be taken. However, if the materials are unsealed, disturbed or damaged, the health of you, your family and surrounding residents may be in danger.
The only way to know for sure if a material contains asbestos is to have it tested by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited service.
How to dispose of it safely
Unless your state or territory’s laws permit you to do so, you should never disturb, remove or dispose of asbestos yourself. The material should only be attended to by a licensed removalist – always ensure you confirm they have the appropriate class of licence (and ask for a copy) before engaging their services.
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