Asbestos Testing Launceston

1. Why Is Asbestos Testing Urgently Needed? According to estimation, 1 out of 3 houses built in Australia was installed with an asbestos-containing material (ACM). Houses in Tasmania mostly have some ACMs installed. It can be found in the roofing, fence, ceilings, or wall cladding.

2. Do You Know that… • Commercial and industrial properties have commonly used friable ACM products since the late 1800s. • They were used for fireproofing, insulation and soundproofing. • Some forms of friable products were also installed in houses. • For houses constructed before 1990, the material could still be found attached to them. • Due to the extensive use of fibrous materials in the 1950s and until the mid-1980s; home maintenance, renovation and demolition continue to face some problems. • Houses built before the 1990s commonly contain AC materials, particularly in the internal and external wall cladding, eaves, ceilings (especially in bathrooms and laundries, the wet areas), roofing and fences. • During the 1980s, asbestos cement (AC) products were eliminated, thus encouraging the use of ACM-free products. • The total ban on production, use, reuse, transport, import, storage or sale of all types of ACM started to be implemented in December 2003.

3. Lack of awareness on the safe method of handling the removal of fibrous products can cause health risks to the occupants of residential and commercial buildings. • Inhaling the fibres may cause a person to be infected by one of the diseases induced by the fibrous particles including Asbestosis, lung cancer and Mesothelioma. • ACM risk in Australia is high, and in a day at least six people are diagnosed with diseases related to fibrous products. • Products containing dangerous fibres that were installed to the house exterior include: corrugated roofing and fencing, eaves, guttering, garage walls and roofs, carport ceilings, walls cladding, outdoor sheds and old laundries and meter box panels • Fibrous products installed within the house interior include: sheet vinyl, bathroom, laundries, and kitchen walls and ceiling cladding, vinyl floor tiles and flooring glues and underlays. • You can get fined, charged or even sent to the prison for not removing fibrous materials correctly or following the Tasmanian regulations. • Removing fibrous materials without training can cause significant hazards to your family and the environment. • Disposal of materials containing dangerous fibres must be managed by a licensed assessor that holds a certification and following the Tasmanian regulations.

4. When You Find an ACM in Your House Don’t get panic. One of the solutions to ensure whether the suspected material found within the building is an ACM is through a testing. The testing can confirm whether the suspected product contains fibres or not. The first step for taking the test is an inspection or survey. The inspection or survey is best to be performed by a qualified assessor. The activity is recommended to make sure that the most accurate result is acquired. DIY for doing a sampling of products containing hazardous fibres is not recommended because it poses significant risks. Having no knowledge of the exact materials containing dangerous fibres can get an individual into a serious problem of fibre exposure. The sampling process may induce the release of fibres into the air. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that the inspection is done by a licensed professional who can identify ACMs accurately. The process will include sample collection and analysis to ensure if the suspected object indeed contains fibres.

5. There are three types of inspection, including: 1. Management – the process involves the identification of ACMs within the building and risk assessments of the suspected material. The materials, which are confirmed as ACMs, will be documented in an asbestos register. Further, the location, condition, and pictures will be included there. The management inspection includes a presumptive inspection or sampling inspection. During the presumptive inspection, a consultant will collect samples from the suspected material. Then, the samples will be analysed through a NATA accredited laboratory to determinate whether the samples contain fibres or not. 2. Refurbishment & Demolition – The activities are performed to detect and remove any product containing dangerous fibres to phase out the risk of exposure to individuals and the surrounding environment. Sampling is carried out to ensure whether the building contains fibrous products. The inspection is done before the actual demolition or refurbishment of the building and when people are not in the building. 3. Clearance – Clearance inspection may be required after the ACM has been removed from a building. This type of inspection is necessary to determine that the place is safe for re-occupation.

6. The Importance of ACM Testing Some prefer to do DIY to collect the samples due to cost and efficiency reasons. The good news is, DIY is allowed for it. However, if you prefer a safe and clean procedure, hiring a licensed professional is the most suggested option. The qualified professional is, of course, familiar with the whole sampling and testing procedures. The individual who will conduct DIY for sampling and testing jobs should be aware that he or she is dealing with hazardous fibres that can affect the health of many people. Thus, they have to be able to minimise the release of fibres. After collecting the samples, the samples will be taken to a NATA lab for testing. It is important that the samples are wrapped in sealed plastic bags or a postage envelope. Do remember that when collecting the samples, you need to wear protective kits that you can find in hardware stores. ACM testing is required when you plan to do removal or renovation or when you plan to sell or buy a property. Reference:http://asbestoswatchlaunceston.com.au/asbestos-testing-launceston/