When was originally asbestos used in homes?

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos. The name has its origin in the Greek word for inextinguishable. A highly-effective and inexpensive fire-retardant material and thermal and acoustic insulator, asbestos was used extensively in home construction from the early 1940s through the 1970s.

Is Asbestos Harmful to My Health?

Yes. We now know that prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to lung disease. When disturbed, tiny abrasive asbestos fibers are easily inhaled, which damages lung tissue and can cause cancer. In homes built prior to 1975, asbestos is most commonly found as thermal insulation on basement boilers and pipes.

Unfortunately, it can also be found in a myriad of other household materials including:

• Blown-in attic insulation
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Glue that attaches floor tiles to concrete or wood
• Some forms of linoleum
• Window caulking and glazing
• Roofing material (usually on flat roofs but occasionally on shingles)
• HVAC duct insulation (usually found in corrugated or flat paper form)
• Siding material
• Plaster
• Fibre cement siding (usually 1/8 ” thick and 8’x4′ brittle)
• Corrugated heavy duty 8’x4′ panels
• Some forms of paint

The mere presence of asbestos in your home is not hazardous. so, Asbestos Removal Melbourne is now important

During the purchase or renovation of a property built before the 1980s, many homeowners will question if asbestos-containing materials are present. When inspecting a property, many people ask what were the peak years for asbestos to be used in homes. Overall modern asbestos production started in the 1800s during the industrial revolution and dropped off in the late 1970s after regulation banned certain asbestos products and uses. According to the USGS the United States was the leading country in asbestos usage until the 1960s, when it was surpassed by the Soviet Union. While there are a plethora of asbestos-containing materials, in this blog we will discuss the years of use for pipe insulation, vermiculite, and wall systems.

Asbestos-Containing Insulation

Asbestos insulation was used widely in homes and typically associated with piping and ductwork. One of the more common insulation products is known as AirCell, a thermal system insulation (TSI). Air-Cell pipe insulation was created by the John Manville Corporation in 1908 and discontinued between 1915-1920. In a 1990 study conducted by the EPA, they found that out among various building types, buildings built before 1944, apartment buildings, and buildings with 8 floors or more are most likely to contain some form of TSI. Even though Air Cell was discontinued in the early 20th century, John Manville produced other similar pipe installations such as Asbestos until the 1970s.

Vermiculite

Vermiculite refers to a mineral that is coveted for its insulating properties and commonly used as attic insulation. Its appearance is a gold to brown pebble material that shimmers in the light. The mineral was usually mined in Libby Montana, which was contaminated with the regulated asbestos mineral Tremolite, and the unregulated Libby amphibole minerals. One common commercialised product of vermiculite is known as Zonalite. According to the EPA, between 1919 to 1990 over 70% of the Vermiculite sold in the United States originated from Libby Montana. The EPA recommends if Vermiculite is observed in a home to assume it is asbestos-containing.

Asbestos-Containing Wall Systems

Some common wall systems where asbestos is present are plaster and drywall. Plaster walls are usually made of a mix of sand, lime, and cement mixture. It can appear in various textures, such as popcorn, stucco, acoustical, and decorative designs. Asbestos-containing plaster was produced by the United States, National Gypsum Gold Bond, Georgia-Pacific, and other manufacturing corporations primarily between 1920-1976.

Asbestos can be found not only in drywall sheets but also its joint compound. Asbestos can be found in drywall from 1930 and in joint compounds from the 1940s until the 1980s. Although banned in the year 1977, asbestos can still be found for a few years later. Last week I inspected a home built in 1980 that had asbestos-containing joint compound.

ASBESTOS USE IN AUSTRALIA TODAY

The problem we now face in Australia is the abundance of asbestos materials we are now left with from past construction work. Asbestos is difficult to identify and can be near impossible for the average homeowner to spot asbestos without testing. However, if the house was built before 1990, it’s likely to contain the toxic material somewhere.

It’s often very difficult to know what contains asbestos and what is safe. Unless each product or material is clearly labelled, it can be impossible to tell without sampling the material and having it properly tested. There are many places around the home that asbestos is commonly found, such as gutters, pipes, tiles, vinyl, window flashings, insulation, and fireproof seals. However, WorkSafe strongly advises against homeowners investigating any suspected asbestos materials without the help of a licensed asbestos surveyor.

Having an asbestos specialist test these materials, remove them, and dispose of them properly will be the difference between keeping you and your family safe. Sometimes non-friable asbestos will not pose a threat to a property if it’s in a good condition and undisturbed. However, it needs to be routinely inspected, maintained and registered with an asbestos management plan.

GBAR Group is pleased to deliver safe, affordable and premium-quality asbestos removal to the Sydney, Brisbane and Wollongong areas. We carry the appropriate licensing, experience and knowledge to carry out all forms of asbestos management. We’re here to remove the risk for you and your family.

Reference-

Thank you for reading this information about asbestos, we have written an article on the best 30 “Asbestos Removal Melbourne” Companies. Please take a read.

https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/