Finding Hidden Asbestos in Building Products Used in Your Homes

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in construction materials due to its high resistance to heat, fire, and chemical damage. It is composed of long, thin fibers that can easily break down into tiny particles and become airborne. When these particles are inhaled or ingested, they can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Asbestos was commonly used in insulation, flooring, roofing, and other building materials until the 1980s when its health risks became widely recognized. Many countries have since banned or restricted its use, but it can still be found in older buildings and products. If asbestos is suspected in a building, it should only be handled by qualified professional asbestos removal contractors trained in its safe removal and disposal.

How Is Asbestos Harmful?

Asbestos is harmful because when its fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can become lodged in the body's tissues and cause several serious health problems.

Asbestos fibers are very small and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause scarring and inflammation over time. This can lead to many respiratory diseases, including asbestosis, a chronic lung disease characterized by shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. Asbestos exposure can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.

The health effects of asbestos exposure often take many years to develop, and symptoms may not appear until decades after the initial exposure. This is why asbestos is considered a serious health hazard and why its use has been restricted or banned in many countries. Asbestos removal contractors need to take precautions to prevent asbestos’ exposure, especially when working with older buildings or materials that may contain asbestos.

Demolition Company in Melbourne ensures maximum protection of its employees while demolition of older buildings or places suspected to have asbestos.

Where Can Asbestos Be Hidden in Your Homes?

Asbestos can be found in many places in your homes which are unknown to the common man but known to the professional asbestos removal contractors who have to be extra cautious while working with it.

1. Insulation: Asbestos was commonly used in insulation materials such as pipe and duct insulation, and sprayed-on insulation for walls and ceilings. Asbestos fibers were added to these products to improve their heat resistance, making them ideal for use in boilers, furnaces, and other high-temperature applications.
2. Roofing: Asbestos used in roofing materials such as shingles, tiles, and felt isn’t visible to the naked eye. These products were popular because they were fire-resistant and durable, but they can still be found in many older buildings.
3. Flooring: Earlier asbestos was used in flooring products such as vinyl tiles, sheet flooring, and backing materials. These products were popular due to their strength and durability, and can still be found in many older homes and buildings.
4. Pipes and ducts: Asbestos was commonly used in pipe and duct insulation, as well as in gaskets and sealants used to connect pipes and ducts. These materials were popular because they were heat-resistant and helped to prevent leaks.
5. Textured paints and coatings: Asbestos was added to some textured paints and coatings to add strength and durability. These products were popular in the 1950s and 1960s, and can still be found in some older homes and buildings.
6. Electrical components: Asbestos was used in some electrical components, such as fuse boxes, electrical panels, and wiring insulation. These products were popular due to their heat resistance and insulating properties.
7. Popcorn ceilings: Popcorn ceilings were popular in the 1970s and early 1980s and often contained asbestos to add texture and strength.
8. Vermiculite insulation: Vermiculite insulation was used in attics and walls to insulate homes. Some of this insulation-contained asbestos can still be found in older homes.
9. Cement products: Asbestos was added to cement products such as siding, roof tiles, and cement pipes to add strength and durability. These products can still be found in many older homes.
10. Joint compounds: Asbestos was added to joint compounds used to fill gaps between drywall panels. This was done to add strength and durability to the compound.
11. Window caulking: Asbestos was used in some window caulking materials to add strength and durability. This can still be found in older homes and buildings.
12. Fireproof materials: In olden times, asbestos was used in fireproof materials such as fire blankets, curtains, and doors. These products were popular in commercial buildings and can still be found in older homes and buildings.
13. HVAC ducts: Asbestos was commonly used in the insulation of HVAC ducts to prevent heat loss and gain. These materials can still be found in some older buildings.

It's important to note that asbestos-containing materials can be present in any part of a building and some of the asbestos-containing materials may not always be visible. It's not always easy to identify them without proper testing. If you are unsure whether your home or building contains asbestos, it's best to have it tested by qualified asbestos removal contractors before beginning any renovation or demolition projects by a demolition company in Melbourne. Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when these materials are disturbed or damaged, which can lead to serious health problems. If you suspect that your home or building contains asbestos, it’s best to take appropriate steps to ensure that it is safely removed and disposed of.

To Conclude

Get in touch with Merhi Group Pty Ltd. for professional advice and the demolition of any old buildings or structures. We are known for bespoke, practical, and affordable solutions to domestic and commercial clients all over Melbourne.