What to Know About Asbestos

It’s hard to imagine a substance that went from being a miracle material of the early modern age to being one of the most notorious toxic substances that exists in many homes and buildings today. That’s that story of asbestos. There was a time when it was considered so safe it could be found in the stuffing of children’s dolls. Its unique texture makes it look like snow on film cameras, and it was used as the snow in The Wizard of Oz. Over time people began to learn more asbestos information and they started to realise how nasty the stuff is.

What to Know About Asbestos – A Source for Asbestos Information

During the last century, asbestos was used a lot in the construction of homes and buildings throughout Australia. So, it’s also a good idea to educate yourself and learn what to know about asbestos. Here’s some asbestos information to get you informed.

The history of asbestos

Asbestos has been used for thousands of years. Its primary use has mainly been to increase the fire resistance of an item, such as cloth or pottery. It was during the industrial revolution that the wide spread use of asbestos really took off. New technologies in the late 1800s made asbestos mining possible at a scale never before seen. Asbestos started to be used in many different everyday products that seem shocking now. Companies began to weave asbestos fibres into pyjamas for children and it was put in a lot of the home furniture of the time. It was also used in a lot of building and home construction. It was commonly used in wall coatings as a fire-retardant, in pipe insulation, roofing, flooring, insulation for ceilings, and in concrete and bricks used to make fireplaces. These are the kind of places where asbestos still lingers today.

A public health crisis

Throughout the early twentieth century there were people who suspected that asbestos was toxic. In the early 1900s, insurance companies noticed that asbestos miners tended to have increased rates of health problems and many died young. But none of these health trends was enough to stop the use of the asbestos. Then in the 1970s things changed. Medical professionals started to take notice of the health issues caused by asbestos. Around that time research into the health risks of asbestos exposure increased. Public health officials gathered all kinds of new asbestos information that led to decreased use of asbestos in Australia in the late 1980s and 1990s. Asbestos was completely banned in 2003.

How asbestos affects the body

Exposure to asbestos can cause a lot of damage to the human body. It can lead to many different health problems. Here’s a list of the most common illnesses caused by asbestos.

• Asbestosis – the scarring of the interior of the lungs.
• Pleural disease – the thickening of the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs.
• Mesothelioma – a cancer of the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs.
• Lung cancer – a cancerous tumour that blocks the passage of air in the lungs.

The future of asbestos related illness

The thing about getting sick from asbestos is that it can take some time. Mesothelioma can occur anywhere between 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. The use of asbestos was completely stopped in Australia in 2003, so there is the possibility that there will be people coming down with asbestos related diseases for the next 30 years. That time could increase as there is still a lot of asbestos in many buildings and homes today.

Asbestos removal and disposal process

It is highly recommended that you do not make the removal of asbestos a DIY project. You should use an asbestos waste collection expert, such as Myers Asbestos Removal. We have the proper equipment to safely remove and decontaminate your home or building. We also have the knowledge of proper disposal procedures.

Don’t go it alone on this one – get in touch

Do you have asbestos in your home or building? Maybe you’re not sure whether you do or not. No matter the case, it’s a good idea to contact professional asbestos removal contractors. We’re able to help you determine what is the best course of action based on your needs. You can follow this link for a free quote, or you can call us at 0412 314 588 if you suspect you may require asbestos services Brisbane wide.