Asbestos Testing Towoomba

1. Asbestos Identification Reference:https://www.dowdellassociates.co.nz/asbestos-testing

2. Asbestos  fibres are forms of silicates which belong to the serpentine and amphibole groups of minerals. They became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century, because of their sound absorption, tensile strength, resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage and affordability. It is used in the manufacture of a vast array of materials used in the construction industry and a wide range of products such as heat resistant textiles, textured coatings, asbestos cement products (cladding and pipework), thermal insulation, brake and clutch linings, gaskets, floor tiles and packing materials.  Reference:https://www.dowdellassociates.co.nz/asbestos-testing Home Asbestos Floor Tiles

3. Asbestos fibres enter the body by inhalation of airborne particles or by ingestion and can become embedded in the tissues of the respiratory or digestive systems.  Years of exposure to asbestos can cause numerous disabling or fatal diseases. Among these diseases are Asbestosis (an emphysema  condition), Lung Cancer (or Mesothelioma) and Gastrointestinal Cancer. 

4. Regulations which prohibited the use of asbestos in materials came into effect in New Zealand in 1983 and the current 'Guidelines for the Management and Removal of Asbestos' - March 2010, the long term goal is for the complete removal of asbestos from all products. The need to positively establish the presence of Asbestos Materials in a workplace or domestic environment is essential before one can create an acceptable management procedure that will deal with the hazard. Reference:http://asbestoswatchtoowoomba.com.au/asbestos-testing/

5. How to Test for Asbestos Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of thin, tightly packed fibers. Due to its strength, asbestos used to be commonly used in the manufacturing of insulation, fireproofing, and other construction materials. Unfortunately, asbestos has been found to pose a serious health risk when its fibers become loose and airborne, since breathing them in can cause scarring of the tissue lining the lungs (mesothelioma) and even lung cancer. You can check for signs of asbestos on your own, but testing should be done by a certified professional using special equipment. If asbestos is present, hire a contractor to repair or remove the materials that contain it to ensure the safety of people using the building. Reference:http://www.wikihow.com/Test-for-Asbestos

6. Checking for Signs of Asbestos • 1 • Determine when the building in question was constructed. Asbestos was widely used between 1920 and 1989, after which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating materials containing asbestos. Asbestos can most commonly be found in buildings, but also in gas heaters, hair dryers, some clothing and automotive brakes.Walls, flooring, pipes, textured paints, insulation, fireproofing materials, pipes, electric wiring, and even chalkboards constructed between 1920 and 1989 may contain asbestos. If the building was constructed between 1920 and 1989, chances are something in the building was constructed with materials containing asbestos. • Few materials made today are constructed with asbestos. Items that do contain asbestos are now labeled as such.

7. 2 • See if there are signs of disturbed asbestos materials.You can't tell whether an item contains asbestos just by looking at it. Instead, look for warning signs that construction materials are degrading. Asbestos isn't dangerous when it's still in good condition, but when it starts to break down and the fibers are released in the air, it becomes toxic. Look for signs of older materials that have become worn out or damaged.Disintegrating pipes, insulation, walls, tiles, vinyl flooring, stovetop pads, and other older materials that have been present in the building since its construction are signs to look out for. • Look for cracks, dusty areas and spots where the material seems to be in the process of breaking down and falling apart. Reference:http://asbestoswatchtoowoomba.com.au/asbestos-testing/

8. 3 • Decide whether to get the area tested.If you don't see signs of construction materials degrading, you might not need to get the area tested, since asbestos is only dangerous when it becomes airborne. However, if you do see signs of degrading materials, or if you simply want to err on the side of safety, you should opt to get the area tested by a professional who has been certified to test for and handle asbestos safely.[2]Another scenario in which you might want to get the area tested is if you plan to do new construction work or replace old materials. Even if the materials are still in good shape, they'll get disturbed during the construction process and may release fibers into the air. • While you could purchase the equipment required to conduct asbestos testing, it is not recommended that you try this on your own. Asbestos testing should be conducted by someone who has gone through training and knows how to handle the material without causing a health hazard for the occupants of the building. If you haven't been trained, you could end up disturbing the asbestos and breathing it in or putting other people at risk of doing so.

9. 2 • See if there are signs of disturbed asbestos materials. You can't tell whether an item contains asbestos just by looking at it. Instead, look for warning signs that construction materials are degrading. Asbestos isn't dangerous when it's still in good condition, but when it starts to break down and the fibers are released in the air, it becomes toxic. Look for signs of older materials that have become worn out or damaged.Disintegrating pipes, insulation, walls, tiles, vinyl flooring, stovetop pads, and other older materials that have been present in the building since its construction are signs to look out for. • Look for cracks, dusty areas and spots where the material seems to be in the process of breaking down and falling apart.