- How to recognize asbestos materials in buildings
- Photographs of asbestos in building products
- List of asbestos-containing building materials
- Non-asbestos materials sometimes mistaken for asbestos
The only way to be sure that your home or unit is free from asbestos is to have a professional inspection. If asbestos is found then you will know what precautions need to be taken to minimise your exposure to asbestos-related problems. Contact our office either by email or
phone 02 9418 7750.
Our report will provide you with the following important information:
Asbestos fibres in building products for the home are either firmly ('non-friable') or loosely bound ('friable').
Asbestos has been used in many products over the years, for example as a strengthening and fire proofing material. See where asbestos is found for more information. It is now widely known that if asbestos is disturbed or deteriorates it releases many tiny fibres which are extremely dangerous to human health when inhaled. If you have had contact with asbestos in the past, either in the workplace or at home then it is possible that you are at risk of contracting one of the diseases often attributed to asbestos exposure such asmesothelioma, lung cancer, emphysema, and pleural plaques.
- How to recognize asbestos under the microscope
- Photographs of asbestos fragments (above) & fibers under the microscope
- Tremolite asbestos micro-photographs
This page illustrates what asbestos fibers or fragments may look like under the polarized light microscope. This document assists building buyers, owners or inspectors who need to identify asbestos materials (or probable-asbestos) in buildings by simple visual inspection.
Locating and identifying asbestos is often a matter of first determining when a building was constructed, as asbestos-containing products are often difficult to identify by sight. Asbestos-containing construction materials were widely used until the mid-1980s. To conclusively identify asbestos-containing materials, samples of the suspected materials should be examined by a trained professional.
- Asbestos was valued for its durability, fire resistance and excellent insulating properties
- If the fibres are disturbed during renovation, precautions should be taken.
- The safest option is to call in the experts
How to Identify and Manage Asbestos Waste on Your Property
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the common name for a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers that are known for their high tensile strength and thermal insulating properties. It is commonly found in a variety of building construction materials and products.
Why is asbestos a problem?
