What is asbestos?
The term asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals found in rock. White, blue and brown asbestos were all mined in Australia until 1983. Asbestos was used widely in industrial and commercial applications from the late 1800s. Uses included asbestos cement (AC) building materials, roofing tiles, fire blankets, and brake linings and pads for motor vehicles.
Asbestos cement was commonly used in the construction of residential buildings from the 1940s – houses built before 1990 are likely to have some asbestos cement products.
Asbestos Victoria has an asbestos identification tool available at https://www.asbestos.vic.gov.au/about-asbestos/finding-and-identifying/find-and-identify-asbestos-tool
What are the health risks of asbestos?
Asbestos only poses a risk to health when asbestos fibres are inhaled as dust. Asbestos cement materials that are in good condition don't pose a health risk, because the asbestos fibres are bound together. If the material is damaged or crumbling, or has been disturbed by cutting, drilling or sawing, fibres may be released into the air and pose a health risk.
Asbestos fibres must become airborne and be present in sufficient concentration and be of a respirable size (a size that can be breathed in) to pose a risk to those inhaling fibres.
When the fibres are inhaled, they can remain deep in the lungs, causing scarring and inflammation. Asbestos exposure can increase the risk of some forms of cancer in humans.
