What is Asbestos?

​

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. Importing raw blue and brown asbestos (the most hazardous types) was prohibited in 1984, and importing raw white asbestos (chrysotile, the most commonly used type in New Zealand) was prohibited in 1998. Importing asbestos-containing materials was banned in 2016, yet many materials installed in the past remain in place today.

 

Asbestos-containing materials such as asbestos-cement wall and roof cladding and waterpipes can still be found in many New Zealand buildings. These materials, known as composites or bonded products, are less hazardous if undisturbed because the asbestos fibres are contained in other materials, usually cement.

 

 

Where is it present in buildings?

 

There are still many buildings in New Zealand which contain asbestos.  Asbestos based products were widely used in construction from the 1920s to the mid-1980s. Commonly used products that contained asbestos included roof and wall claddings, vinyl floor coverings, sprayed fire protection, decorative ceilings, roofing membranes, adhesives and paints.

 

Generally, if your building was built prior to 1 January 2000 it is more likely to have asbestos-containing material (ACM) incorporated within it.  If unsure, give us a call, and find out how help ascertain whether or not a given material is an ACM and what you have to do (if anything).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Worksafe: Asbestos and your home, Oct 2017, pg 1

 

​

What are the health risks?

​

In New Zealand an estimated 170 people die of asbestos-related diseases each year making it the largest single cause of work-related deaths. In response, the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 (“Regulations”) were introduced and came fully into effect on 4 April 2018.

 

Workers who disturb the fabric of buildings during maintenance, refurbishment ,repair, installation and related activities may be exposed to asbestos every time they unknowingly work on ACM’s or carry out work without taking the correct precautions. The purpose of managing asbestos in buildings is to prevent or minimise exposure for these groups of workers and other people in the premises.

 

Exposure to Asbestos fibre may occur when materials containing Asbestos are in poor condition, are flaking or crumbling. Consequently, exposure to Asbestos fibre may occur when materials containing Asbestos are sanded, sawn, drilled, or handled in maintenance and/or removal tasks.

 

Three main disease states have been associated with the inhalation of Asbestos fibre:

• Asbestosis

• Lung cancer

• Mesothelioma

 

Inhalation of high concentrations of all forms of Asbestos may result in Asbestosis, a progressive fibrosis of lung tissue. The two forms of cancer associated with the inhalation of Asbestos are lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is considered to account for at least 80% of mesotheliomas that develop with Crocidolite (blue Asbestos) and Amosite (brown Asbestos) providing the greatest hazard.

 

However, as symptoms often do not appear until 20+ years after exposure, the dangers of asbestos are easily misunderstood and underestimated.

​