Following the United Kingdom, Australia has the world’s second-highest rate of mesothelioma mortality. Since the early 1980s, mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure, has claimed the lives of nearly 10,000 Australians. Cancer experts estimate that during the next 40 years, an additional 25,000 Australians will succumb to the disease. If you feel you’ve been exposed to asbestos in Australia, the National Asbestos Exposure Register was created by the Australian government to keep track of information for citizens who may have been exposed to asbestos for future reference. Look into trustworthy companies that do asbestos removal in Sydney to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure.
Is it true that asbestos is dangerous to your health?
Yes. People are increasingly aware that long-term exposure to asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer. When asbestos fibres are dislodged, tiny abrasive asbestos fibres are easily breathed, causing lung tissue damage and possibly cancer. Asbestos is most typically found as insulation on pipes and basement boilers in homes built before 1975. Furthermore, it also can be found in various other materials around the house, such as:
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Blown-in attic insulation
- The glue that’s used to adhere tiles to cement or wood surfaces.
- Roofing supplies
- Insulation for HVAC ducts
- Plaster
- Siding made of fibre cement
How can you tell if you have asbestos in your home?
Examine the fabric for abrasions, tears, or water damage: If you believe a component of your home has asbestos, look for tears, abrasions, or water damage regularly. If you find somewhat damaged material, restrict entry to the area and don’t touch or disrupt it. Professional repair or removal is required if the material is more than mildly damaged or you plan to make alterations in your home that may disturb it.
First, schedule an inspection: However, before contacting an asbestos abatement company, you should have the affected area inspected by an industrial hygiene company. A thorough visual examination and the careful gathering and analysis of materials are all part of a proper assessment. If asbestos is found, the inspector should write a report outlining the location and amount of the damage and recommendations for removal or prevention.
This inspector can also do post-removal or repair inspections to ensure that the area has been adequately cleaned. Homeowners can next call an asbestos removal contractor and arrange a clean-up plan with this report in hand.
Removal: If you’ve decided to remove the asbestos, ensure that the contractor has written confirmation that they followed all local asbestos extraction and dumping requirements.
Six tips for asbestos removal that isn’t dangerous
- Before paying the final bill, homeowners should get a disposal manifest to ensure that the waste will be discarded in an asbestos-accepting landfill.
- Only state-licensed asbestos abatement companies should repair and remove asbestos-containing materials. Ask for references and a description of similar work that the company has recently accomplished, as you would with any contractor.
- Check with your local air quality control board and the local body responsible for worker safety to see if the company has had any safety violations.
- Insist on the contractor using the correct tools for the project and workers wearing approved respirators, gloves, and other protective gear.
- Homeowners should also ensure that the contractor is covered by liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance for this type of work. Contractors are obliged by law in several areas to notify state, federal, and municipal agencies before beginning abatement work.
- Before the contractor eliminates its containment system after the operation, the industrial hygiene professional who initially assessed the premises should revisit to take air samples to ensure that no asbestos fibres have mistakenly escaped.
Even after looking into companies that handle asbestos removal in Sydney, contact your state’s environmental affairs office for more information on dealing with asbestos hazards in the home. Asbestos may be avoided from ever causing an issue in your home if it is treated properly.
