identifying asbestos

Asbestos containing materials come in all shapes, sizes and colours. There are mostly three types of raw asbestos used in NZ — blue, brown and white asbestos, and all were used in many building products. Asbestos was often mixed with other materials so it is virtually impossible to identify by eye whether or not it is present in suspect materials. The only way to be certain if your home contains asbestos is to have materials tested in an accredited laboratory. Do not attempt to obtain a sample without talking to the laboratory first.

Asbestos containing materials were a common building product from the 1940’s through until the 1990’s. Because asbestos is fire, heat, chemical and noise resistant as well as providing added strength to otherwise brittle materials (such as cement) it was widely used. In some instances it was used earlier than 1940, such as in lathe and plaster. From 1 October 2016 imports of products containing asbestos are banned.

A large proportion of buildings built or renovated during the 1940s to 1990s will contain some asbestos materials, however some houses built after this era may also.

Asbestos can be found in:

·         asbestos cement products (pipes, flues, roofs etc)

·         wall cladding (fibrolite)

·         lagging (on pipes and boilers etc)

·         water tanks

·         asbestos insulating board

·         sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls and beams / columns

·         textured decorative coatings, flat and stippled plaster

·         vinyl flooring and backing

·         textiles and composites

·         gaskets and ropes (such as on wood burners)

·         lathe and plaster

·         mastics and sealants

·         damp proof courses (malthoid)

·          

However, you may also be concerned that there are traces of asbestos in your soil as a result of historic or accidental dumping or burying. For guidance on contaminated land and how to manage this risk visit www.contamland.co.nz.

If testing confirms that there is asbestos present in your soil than you should talk to a suitably Qualified and Experienced Practitioner (SQEP) for guidance. 

Are you starting renovations or repairs on your property and worried about the risk of asbestos? Asbestos Aware will help you identify what asbestos could look like, where it could be found and how it should be dealt with.

Asbestos is a health hazard to you and your family if you inhale the very fine fibres that can be created when you damage or disturb materials that contain asbestos. If you, or any contractors you use, don’t plan work carefully and take appropriate precautions, you may spread contamination. This can settle on carpets, drapes and soft furnishings and become airborne at a later date. Don’t expose yourself and your family to this risk.

Asbestos is a health hazard. Disturbing or damaging asbestos can loosen fibres that can be inhaled through your lungs. Once asbestos fibres are in the air, they can easily spread through your home. Don’t expose yourself and your family to this risk. Plan your work carefully and make sure your contractors are aware of the asbestos risks and appropriate controls for asbestos removal work. Make sure your contractors are appropriately licenced.

This was originally developed specifically for Greater Christchurch after the 2010/11 earthquakes and subsequent rebuild, but the information has been updated so it is relevant for anyone in New Zealand undertaking or commissioning residential work that may involve disturbing asbestos containing materials.

Please note the Regulations around working with asbestos changed on 4 April 2016. For more 

Testing for asbestos

The only way to be certain if your home contains asbestos is to have suspect materials tested in an accredited laboratory. Do not attempt to obtain a sample without talking to a laboratory first.

For a full list of accredited testing facilities all across New Zealand visit ianz.govt.nz and search for keyword 'asbestos', and click 'Go'.

You can also contact the Health Protection Team working in the Public Health Unit of your District Health Board if you want to find out about approved testing laboratories in your region.

managing asbestos

If testing has confirmed the presence of asbestos in your home and you are starting renovation, demolition or repair work, you can:

·         Leave it undisturbed if it is in a good stable condition and won’t be impacted by the renovation work or

·         Engage an asbestos licence holder to put in place other options for dealing with asbestos such as sealing, encasing or complete removal.

Asbestos left undisturbed, in good condition or sealed is relatively safe – but if it is easily crumbled, broken down, or damaged or if you intend to drill it, sand it or break it up, it can be harmful and needs specialist attention.

Asbestos Aware strongly advises you to use professional asbestos removal companies to undertake the removal, transportation and disposal. They are fully trained and equipped to complete this work and to manage the clean-up. Residue from asbestos left in your home can cause health issues in the future – that’s why it’s so important to be asbestos aware.

There are certain types of work with asbestos containing materials that by law can only be carried out by a licence holder and their nominated supervisors or removal workers. WorkSafe manages the licensing scheme, under the Asbestos Regulations 2016.

There is a transitional plan in place for these operators who hold a Certificate of Competence for Restricted Work with Asbestos under the old legislation. This means those certificate holders can operate as an asbestos licence holder until 4 April 2018 or when their certificate expires - whichever comes first.

See the WorkSafe website for a full list of licence holders.

You can also view Certificate of Competence holders here.

Certified contractors should follow approved methods for removal. You can find out more about this methodology and what to expect from the removal company by downloading the fact sheets on this page.

After safe removal and disposal you can expect your contractor to complete the following as a final clean up in your home:

·         Vacuum residue and dust from all surfaces (including unsealed drawers and cupboards) using a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter.

·         Wet wiping after vacuumin

risk

Asbestos is a health hazard, although the risk to you and your family is very low from short-term low-level exposure in the home. Asbestos creates a health risk only if it is disturbed or broken up and fibres are released into the air. Don’t expose yourself and your family to this risk.

Asbestos-related diseases generally occur in workers who have had heavy exposure over extended periods of time. Short-term high exposure can sometimes happen during home renovation or maintenance involving materials which contain asbestos. It is always best to avoid exposure as much as reasonably possible.

All types of asbestos fibres are known to cause serious health hazards in humans. There are a number of diseases that can be related to breathing in asbestos fibres, including:

·         Asbestosis (scarring of lung tissues)

·         Mesothelioma (malignant cancers developing around the linings of either the chest or the abdominal cavities)

·         Lung cancer

·         Pleural plaques (thickening of membranes around the lungs which may or may not lead to further disease, and leading to varying degrees of debilitation).

By using a certified contractor to remove and correctly dispose of the asbestos you can avoid the unnecessary danger of exposing your family to the risk.

disposal

Asbestos is a hazardous waste and must be disposed of correctly.

Asbestos waste must only be disposed of at an approved local authority refuse site. It must not be sold or re used. It must be removed from the construction area to an approved refuse site as soon as possible. Incorrect disposal of asbestos waste is prohibited and can result in a fine or prosecution.

WorkSafe has a regularly updated list of New Zealand sites consented to accept asbestos waste. Asbestos cannot be taken to the site without prior arrangement and must be packaged correctly for disposal.

Asbestos must be transported and delivered in a safe and secure manner. Asbestos Aware strongly advises you to use experienced asbestos removal companies to undertake the removal, transportation and disposal of asbestos from your home.

Asbestos specialists should follow approved methods for storage, transport and disposal, such as:

·         Placing asbestos into closed containers that are impermeable to asbestos dust.

·         Using bags no bigger than 1200 mm x 900 mm, and only half-filling them.

·         Being careful when letting excess air out so that asbestos dust is not released.

·         Double-bagging materials in case of bags rupturing during handling and transport.

·         Sealing the bags or sheets well to prevent asbestos dust from escaping.

·         All asbestos waste must be sealed in plastic bags (200µm thick) and labelled “Asbestos hazard - wear respirator and protective clothing while handling contents”.