Although asbestos has been in use for a long time which can be dated back to the Neolithic age, its large-scale use began in the 19th century. Earlier it was used for strengthening ceramic pots but ever since asbestos was mined commercially, it found its use in construction material due to its commendable physical properties, perfectly suited for the construction sector. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that consists of long, fibrous crystals that are amorphous in nature. It is a superb thermal and electrical insulator and that’s why it was chosen as the material in tiles and electrical cables. However, as more insights came about the effects of asbestos on human health, there arose the need for an effective asbestos management plan.
According to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, “Asbestos was mined in Australia until 1984, and 1.5 million tonnes of asbestos was imported between 1930 and 1983.” The long fibers of the mineral are considerably strong and flexible to be used in buildings. The wide availability of asbestos makes it highly affordable because of which it has been in use for so many years.
Asbestos in buildings
If your building was constructed before 1990, it is quite likely that it has asbestos in it. Asbestos was heavily used between the decades of 1950s and 1980s. Asbestos was a popular construction material before it was completely banned by the Australian government on 31st December 2003. This was done because of the harmful effects of asbestos exposure on residents. If you have trouble breathing then it could be because of asbestos. Sometimes, years pass by and residents of a building aren’t even aware of the small particles of asbestos consolidating inside the lungs and alveoli thereby blocking the respiratory passage slowly but surely. Therefore, it is critical to know about the level of asbestos around your homes and workplaces as well as inform the relevant authorities immediately so that they can chalk out a proper asbestos management plan.
There are six types of asbestos fibers. These are:
- Chrysolite – Also called white asbestos, chrysolite is the most common form of asbestos in the world. It was widely used in cement pipes and sheets. More than 90% of asbestos used in the world is chrysolite and can still be found in gaskets, plastics, asphalt, ceiling materials, etc.
- Amosite – Also referred to as brown asbestos, amosite is used as a thermal insulator in fire hydrants, electric boards, and ceiling tiles.
- Crocidolite – More commonly known as blue asbestos, crocidolite is composed of soft and friable fibers. This type of asbestos is found in Australia, but its commercial use is less. It was used in varying proportions in cement and tiles.
- Tremolite – This variety comes in a range of colors, from milky white to dark green. The fibers are sharp and have excellent thermal properties. It was earlier used in fireproofing, paint, ceiling, and plumbing materials.
- Actinolite – The Actinolite fibers are sharp, needle-like fibers that are dark in appearance. They are found in combination with other minerals like silicon, iron, calcium, and magnesium. They were used in products like insulation materials, paints, and sealants.
- Anthophyllite – This fiber is relatively rare in nature and so is its use in construction. The fibers are long and are brown or yellowish in color.
Asbestos testing
Considering the fact that almost all types of asbestos fibers are easily inhalable, it is crucial to have a detailed asbestos management plan in place to prevent asbestos-related diseases among people. The consequences of sustained asbestos exposure can be fatal and worse, it takes years to understand the actual damage done by these mineral fibers because their symptoms develop over a long time. Asbestos can cause diseases like asbestosis and lung cancer. Australia has the second highest rate of Mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer caused due to asbestos fibers lodging inside the lungs, in the world.
In light of the above information, asbestos testing becomes highly important. Ideally, a NATA-accredited laboratory should be granted the task of testing asbestos in the buildings. Tinkering with an asbestos-filled fibrous insulation material can be dangerous and only qualified professionals should handle such materials. Once the asbestos detection has been confirmed, the asbestos management template needs to be followed which consists of maintaining a register detailing the date of asbestos testing, the level and type of asbestos found, and the individual who conducted the asbestos assessment. The people in the residential building or office space have to be informed of the presence of asbestos in the building premises so that health checkups can be followed up. Most importantly, a periodic review had to be conducted every five years to ensure there is no asbestos-related risk involved.
Conclusion
Although it has been banned in Australia for the last two decades, traces of asbestos are still present around us, especially in older buildings. These traces can be found in fireproofing and insulation materials, cement pipes and sheets as well as ceiling tiles. Periodic asbestos testing and review of buildings is necessary to keep the residents informed of the level of asbestos in the building and an asbestos management plan in place should be there for the removal of asbestos so that the source of exposure can be eliminated. This would ensure that people get timely health intervention and get saved from potentially fatal lung diseases.