Common locations of asbestos in domestic and commercial buildings
/in Asbestos Facts /by WebsitesIt is often very difficult to identify the presence of asbestos by sight. The only way to be certain is to have a sample of the material analysed by a laboratory.
Sampling of anything you suspect may contain asbestos is itself hazardous and should only be done by a competent person, and analysed only in accredited laboratories.
Where materials have not been tested you should assume that it could contain asbestos and take adequate precautions before handling, removing or disturbing it. Sometimes manufacturer information may have been stamped on a product or a label may state it contains asbestos. Typically certain products can be identified by their age and likelihood to contain asbestos and must then be treated as asbestos materials.
Who is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
/in Asbestos Facts /by WebsitesPeople who worked with asbestos products are the most at risk of exposure. Occupations that presented the greatest risk of asbestos exposure include:
- Miners
- Millers
- Insulators
- Boilermakers
- Auto mechanics
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Firefighters
- Construction workers
- Industrial workers
- Shipyard workers
- Power plant workers
While working directly with Asbestos seems like an obvious exposure, what is really shocking is the risk for secondary exposure. There have been many cases of individuals suffering from an asbestos-related disease from living with someone who worked with asbestos. For example, washing the workers clothing was a particularly common source of secondary exposure.
Types of Asbestos Fibres
/in Asbestos Facts /by WebsitesThe term asbestos refers to six fibrous minerals that occur naturally throughout the world. These six types of fibres are:
- Chrysotile
- Tremolite
- Crocidolite
- Amosite
- Actinolite
- Anthophyllite
The most widely used type of asbestos is chrysotile. It accounts for approximately 95% of asbestos used worldwide.
Asbestos fibres are naturally resistant to heat, fire, electricity and chemicals. These properties made it an ideal additive in construction products to prevent fire and chemical corrosion.