Asbestos and Chemicals
1. What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that was widely used in building materials up to 1987. It is commonly found in materials such as:
§ Roofing, shingles and siding
§ Fencing
§ Exterior/Interior wall cladding
§ Backing material on floor tiles and vinyl flooring
§ Textured paints and
§ Water or flue pipes
When such materials are left undisturbed they are relatively harmless. However, if the material is damaged or disturbed it may release fibres into the air which can be dangerous to your health.
2. How do I know if a material contains asbestos?
Generally, a person cannot determine whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. Careful visual examination and the use of a microscope is the only way to verify the presence of asbestos. Look in the yellow pages under ‘analysts’ for a NATA accredited laboratory that can confirm the presence of asbestos in a product.
If in doubt, and the material is installed prior to 1988, treat the suspect material as though it does contain asbestos.
3. What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?
In its raw form, asbestos is well known to cause health effects in humans. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause the following diseases:
§ Asbestosis
§ Pleural Plaque
§ Lung Cancer
§ Mesothelioma
The risk of developing an asbestos related disease depends on the total number of fibres inhaled.
To date, the majority of people who have developed asbestos related diseases have been exposed to relatively large numbers of fibres, as a result of contact with the material in their occupation over a long period.
4. What are the health effects caused by exposure to asbestos cement products?
Generally, undisturbed asbestos cement products do not pose a health risk, as the fibres are bound together in a solid cement matrix.
Exposure to asbestos fibres may cause a number of diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer or pleural plaque
For further information see The Department of Health Website
http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/3/1143/2/asbestos_in_the_home.pm
For removal and disposal information see the Waste Section of the Manjimup Shire Website
Chemicals
Chemical products are commonplace these days in our workplace and at home. While many of these products may seem relatively innocuous, most have the potential to cause harm if misused. In response to this, the Department of Health has published a series of pamphlets on various chemical sources.
Safe use of Household Chemicals