Asbestos Removal

Illustrative representation of asbestos fibres

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of millions of tiny fibres. It was widely used in Australian building products because it was strong, durable and resistant to heat, fire and corrosion. Asbestos was particularly common in building materials from the 1940s through to the 1980s, and its use in construction was gradually phased out during the mid-to-late 1980s.

When asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and left undisturbed, they may not present an immediate risk. However, cutting, drilling, sanding, breaking, demolishing or otherwise disturbing asbestos materials can release microscopic fibres into the air. When inhaled, these fibres can cause serious and potentially fatal diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

After Asbestos Removal

If your home in Brisbane, Logan or South East Queensland was built before 1990, there is a good chance that it contains asbestos-containing materials. Older homes, particularly those built before the mid-1980s, are more likely to contain asbestos products. However, the age of the house alone does not always provide a definite answer, as asbestos-containing products were still present in some buildings constructed or renovated after 1990.

Asbestos-containing building products were banned in Australia in 1990, but some asbestos products continued to be used. A total national ban on the use and importation of asbestos came into effect on 31 December 2003. This means that even some homes built during the 1990s and early 2000s may contain asbestos-containing materials.

After Asbestos Removal

If you are planning renovations, extensions or demolition on an older Brisbane, Logan or South East Queensland property, it is important to consider the possibility of asbestos before work begins.

Do not assume that a material is asbestos-free simply because it looks like ordinary cement sheeting or another modern building product. If you are unsure whether a material contains asbestos, have it properly assessed before disturbing it.

Where asbestos is identified, engaging an appropriately licensed asbestos removalist helps ensure the material is safely contained, removed and disposed of in accordance with Queensland requirements.

You cannot reliably identify asbestos simply by its appearance. If you are unsure, have the material assessed and tested before disturbing it. Never cut, drill, sand or break suspected asbestos materials.