The use of asbestos in a range of different materials has left its mark across Australia. Before you start renovating your home or buying an investment property, it’s worth having the property professionally MPA asbestos inspection Adelaide.
The visual-only inspection looks at areas containing asbestos and documents a management strategy. The visual + samples package includes everything in the visual inspection but also takes a sample for testing.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once used in thousands of everyday household and workplace products. Its natural resistance to fire, sound, water and chemicals made it famous for use in building materials, insulation and friction products such as gaskets and linings. Asbestos was widely used in Australia until 2003 when Safe Work Australia banned it from being imported or manufactured.
Asbestos can be dangerous if its tiny fibres are released into the air and inhaled. This can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestosis causes a tightness in the chest and persistent coughing, and it can lead to breathing failure and death. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue lining the body’s internal organs, especially the lungs. It’s a deadly condition with no cure.
The risk of asbestos exposure can be reduced by leaving asbestos materials undisturbed. This is especially important if they are in good condition. However, if the material is damaged or you plan on making changes to your home, hiring trained professionals to inspect and remove the materials is best. Before sampling, ensure no one is in the room and cover the floor below the area with a plastic sheet. Wet the surface of the sampled area with a fine mist of water and a few drops of detergent. This will help reduce the release of asbestos fibres.
If you have asbestos in your home, only professional inspectors can tell if it’s bonded or friable. Related asbestos materials are tightly bound together and won’t release fibres unless broken, cut or drilled. However, some bonded asbestos becomes friable (loosely bound) if it is badly damaged or has deteriorated over time. This material can be easily crumbled and become airborne, making it the most dangerous type of asbestos.
Only a qualified, licensed MPA asbestos inspection Adelaide professionals can repair or remove the material if a home inspection finds that asbestos is present. When choosing a professional, check their credentials carefully. Look for a reputable company accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program or your state or local health department. Getting references and cost estimates from several companies is also a good idea.
Asbestos Health Risks
Asbestos fibres pose a severe health risk when inhaled into the lungs. This is because they can cause various serious diseases that impact the chest and lungs, including lung and chest cancers, as well as mesothelioma. These diseases are not typically diagnosed until after they have developed, meaning that by the time they are diagnosed, the condition will be advanced, and treatment options will be limited. These conditions can be tough to live with, and many people die of asbestos-related diseases each year in Australia.
Asbestos is found in a range of materials within the home, and it can be difficult to tell whether something is contaminated. The best way to know if a material contains asbestos is to have it tested by an accredited laboratory. However, it is essential not to try and take samples yourself. This can be very dangerous for you and your family. Instead, you should have a professional inspector test the area and sample it correctly.
It is also important to note that a material containing asbestos does not pose a risk if it remains in its original condition and is not disturbed. Asbestos is only a problem when it becomes airborne and inhaled, often when renovation work is undertaken, and materials are cut, ripped or sanded. Therefore, if you are considering undertaking any renovations in your home, it is strongly recommended that you have a professional MPA asbestos inspection Adelaide before commencing.
Several different types of inspections can be performed, depending on the situation. The most common is the Visual Only package, which looks at all areas suspected of containing asbestos, documents them, and recommends next steps depending on the results. This report type is prevalent when buying a property as it does not involve disturbing it.
Asbestos Removal
If you are looking to have some asbestos materials removed from your property, we can help. Our service covers the safe removal and transportation of asbestos to an approved waste dump. The cost of this service is based on the volume and complexity of the work to be carried out. This is why it’s essential to get an idea of the quantity of material you want removed and a quote before we start. Our team will assess the property to determine if asbestos is present and what type it is. Then, we will advise you of the safest and most cost-effective method to remove it from your property.
