Handling asbestos in your home
Asbestos in residential property structures became a problem when it was discovered the material could be hazardous to your health.
If your New South Wales home was built before 1987 it may contain asbestos - which is a generic term for a number of fibrous silicate materials. According to the state government, common fixtures that might contain bonded asbestos material are flat or corrugated fibro sheeting, as well as roofing shingles, guttering and water, drainage and flue pipes.
While the simple presence of undisturbed asbestos may not cause health problems, conditions that involve consistent exposure to the material might lead to ailments including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma many years down the road.
If you would like to test your home for potential asbestos risk, experts suggest calling in a licensed asbestos removal contractor to inspect it.
It was recently announced by the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) that in the state of NSW, there is a shortage of qualified asbestos removalists.
Nonetheless, asbestos removal is a job best left to the professionals. Asbestos removal is a job that requires specialist care and attention - and disposal of asbestos waste requires adherence to a number of specific guidelines, which are set out by local authorities and state governments.
