What is asbestos?

Asbestos comes from a natural mineral and is made up of tiny fibres. It is heat and acid resistant and because of these qualities, is a component of many building materials such as insulation, tiles and cement sheeting.

Asbestos fibres can become hazardous when released into the air if unstable Asbestos Containing Materials are disturbed or crushed. Breathing in large quantities of these fibres has the potential to cause respiratory disease. Skin contact or ingestion of asbestos is not associated with disease.

Asbestos Containing Materials are found in many older buildings across Australia and can be managed successfully.

The on-going risk to a person living in housing with Asbestos Containing Materials is very small if the asbestos material is in the form of sheets (ie: not friable or fibrous) and is in reasonable condition or painted. Also broken asbestos sheet material is generally not considered a health risk unless it is finely fragmented.