What are Asbestos Materials and Why Should We Be Concerned About Them?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibres used extensively for their durability and resistance to heat. However, asbestos poses significant health risks when airborne fibres are inhaled. These risks include serious diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Given the widespread use of asbestos in construction prior to the 1990s, it is crucial to manage and mitigate exposure to protect public health.

As a general rule the occurrence of asbestos:

  • before the mid-1980s – it is highly likely that it has asbestos containing products
  • between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s – it is possible that it has asbestos containing products
  • after mid-1990s – it is unlikely that it has asbestos containing products

Identifibre offers Sample Testing, here are the details:

If you suspect or are concerned a material may contain asbestos, don’t take the risk! Stop work and get the material tested for the presence of asbestos.

Confirmation of asbestos can only be made with scientific testing. Identifibre is a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited asbestos testing laboratory with an experienced team of analysts who endeavour to provide fast results based on budget and time restraints.

Identifibre makes this process easy:

Bring It

Bring the sample/s, separately double bagged & labelled in sealed zip lock bags, into our office during business hours.

Street Address:
Identifibre Pty Ltd
67 Atherton Road,
Oakleigh VIC 3166

Post It

Complete the testing form & post the sample/s, separately double bagged & labelled in sealed zip lock bags.

Postal Address:
Identifibre Pty Ltd
67 Atherton Road,
Oakleigh VIC 3166

Collect It

Contact our office to arrange for a consultant to collect the sample/s from your work site or house (sample collection fee applies).

Phone Number:
(03) 9563 2957

A small sample is all that is required for analysis of most materials, approximately the size of a 20c piece, however asbestos isn’t evenly distributed in vinyl tiles so to get an accurate result a larger sample of approximately 10x10cm or the size of a business card is required.

For analysis of a soil or mulch sample, it is required that the sample does not exceed 150g in weight.

Asbestos materials pose significate health risk

When asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled, there can be significant health risks. Once inhaled, these fibres can become lodged in the lung tissue, leading to inflammation, scarring, and potentially fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer primarily affecting the lining of the lungs or the abdomen. The risk of developing these diseases increases with the amount and duration of exposure, with symptoms often not appearing until many years after exposure.

One of the primary concerns with asbestos materials is their widespread use in buildings and products before the health risks were fully understood. Asbestos was used in various construction materials, including roofing, insulation, floor tiles, and cement products, due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. Many homes and buildings constructed before the 1990s may still contain asbestos materials, posing potential health risks to occupants and workers involved in renovation or demolition projects.

Did you know…?

The handling of asbestos materials requires extreme caution. When intact and undisturbed, bonded asbestos materials pose a minimal risk. However, when these materials are damaged or disturbed during renovations, repairs, or demolition, asbestos fibres can be released into the air, increasing the risk of inhalation. Therefore, it is crucial to take proper safety measures when dealing with asbestos, including using appropriate protective equipment, avoiding the use of power tools that can generate airborne fibres, and wetting down asbestos materials to minimise dust.

List of Common Asbestos Materials

Asbestos coated metal sheet (Galbestos)

Usage: Galvanised iron sheets with a coating of asbestos on each side. Commonly used as external roof and wall cladding.

asbestos material

Vermiculite

Usage: Provides fire rated insulation in industrial and commercial buildings. Can also be used as a decorative finish to ceilings.

Block insulation / lagging

Usage: Provides heat insulation for pipes and vessels. More commonly found in industrial properties.

Mastic sealant

Usage: Joint sealant within building structures, air conditioning plant and ductwork.

Compressed gaskets

Usage: Provides heat and chemical resistance within pipework flange joins.

Sheet vinyl floor covering with millboard backing

Usage: Floor and bench top covering.

Limpet (White Asbestos)

Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.

Limpet (Brown Asbestos)

Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.

Limpet (Blue Asbestos)

Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.

Bituminous membrane (Malthoid)

Usage: Prevents water movement across the membrane. Might be present on building roofs, as a lining inside tanks or around buried pipework or structures.

Millboard

Usage: Provides heat and chemical resistance, and non-conductive seal in electrical components.

Black tar electrical board (Zelemite)

Usage: Commonly used as a backing board for electrical components, including switchboards, fuse panels and gauges.

Fire door core insulation

Usage: Fire rated insulation lining present within fire doors. Doors may have several different layers.

Woven asbestos rope/cloth

Usage: Flexible heat and electrical insulation barrier. Commonly found lining older ceramic electrical fuses, as door seals for heaters and ovens, window seals and numerous other uses.

Low density fibre board (Asbestolux)

Usage: Commonly used as interior fire resistant ceiling sheeting and wall linings.

Laminated cement sheet

Usage: Decorative cladding used in domestic construction, commonly in wet areas.

Tile Adhesive (Blackjack glue)

Usage: Commonly used as a vinyl tile adhesive.

Vinyl tile

Usage: Commonly used as floor and wall coverings.

Asbestos cement

Usage: Heat resistant filling material for building penetrations and voids. Also used as a fire rating material on critical building fittings.

Corrugated cement sheet

Usage: Primarily used as roof and external wall cladding throughout industrial and residential buildings.

Cement sheet

Usage: Various uses such as cladding and underlay in construction. Chemical, heat, moisture and pest resistant.

Brake pads

Usage: Primarily used as friction materials in brake pads and clutch plates present in mechanical, automotive and other applications.

Common Asbestos Containing Materials in Houses

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Asbestos cement sheeting

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Asbestos cement sheeting

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Asbestos cement sheeting

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Asbestos cement sheeting

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Asbestos cement sheeting

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Asbestos cement sheeting

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Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting

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Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting

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Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting

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Fibrous cement pipe

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Fibrous cement pipe

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Laminated cement sheet

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Laminated cement sheet

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Vinyl coverings

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Vinyl coverings

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Vinyl coverings

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Vinyl coverings

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Zelemite electrical board/millboard

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Zelemite electrical board/millboard

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Mastic sealant

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Mastic sealant

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Mastic sealant

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Mastic sealant

More Information

 

The Australian Government Department of Health through the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee have developed a brochure with detailed information for householders and the general public. The brochure is comprehensive and easy to read.

Asbestos in Homes

SERVICES

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Asbestos Testing

Identifibre is a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) endorsed laboratory for analysis of bulk samples of building materials and soil samples for the presence of asbestos. With an experienced team of analysts, we offer a variety of turnaround times to suit budget and time restraints.

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Air Monitoring & Clearance Certificates

Identifibre provides all hygiene services required for asbestos removal works including air monitoring, visual inspections, clearance certificates and other services to ensure adequate control measures are in place before, during and after removal works.

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Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Plans

Identifibre can provide a complete asbestos management solution, incorporating the asbestos assessment and management plan framework adapted to your particular organisation structure.

Asbestos Sample Testing

Air Monitoring & Clearance Certificates

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Plans

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Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Surveys & Risk Assessments

Identifibre’s Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Surveys and Risk Assessments (Division 6) detail the location and condition of asbestos and other hazardous materials that may be disturbed during demolition or refurbishment works on a building, structure, ship or plant where asbestos is fixed or installed.

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Asbestos in the Workplace Surveys & Risk Assessments

Identifibre can assist your workplace to comply with the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and the Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations by carrying out a Division 5 Asbestos in the Workplace Survey and Risk Assessment in a timely, accurate and cost effective manner.

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Asbestos Awareness Training

Identifibre’s asbestos awareness training course provides guidance on identifying asbestos containing materials and how to work safely where asbestos may be suspected or confirmed.

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Surveys & Risk Assessments

Asbestos in the Workplace Surveys & Risk Assessments

Asbestos Awareness Training

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Project Management & Supervision

Identifibre can provide management assistance in all phases of asbestos abatement activities, from preparation of specifications through to project completion, including supervision and final clearance certification.

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Asbestos Contaminated Land Assessments

Asbestos is commonly found within soil and fill material associated with commercial or residential construction. Contact Identifibre for expert advice to investigate and assess the site, including soil, and develop appropriate risk management strategies.

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Respiratory Protection Fit Testing

All personnel who are required to remove or disturb asbestos-containing materials must use adequate respiratory protection for the task. Identifibre offer respiratory mask fit tests with all Identifibre fit testers RESP-Fit accredited.

Project Management & Supervision

Asbestos Contaminated Land Assessments

Respiratory Protection Fit Testing

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