Asbestos Risk! Asbestos Risk! Is it in your Is it in your home?home?

Houses built prior to ‘1980’ may Houses built prior to ‘1980’ may contain Asbestoscontain Asbestos

This information addresses concerns This information addresses concerns and questions about asbestos in and questions about asbestos in homes. It explains:homes. It explains:

what it is, where it is found, why it what it is, where it is found, why it might be a problem, and how to deal might be a problem, and how to deal with it.with it.

Asbestos fibres are strong and Asbestos fibres are strong and resistant to heat and chemicals. This resistant to heat and chemicals. This has led to their many uses in:has led to their many uses in:

A wide range of building materials A wide range of building materials and products, often as fireproofing.and products, often as fireproofing.

Why may asbestos be a problem?Why may asbestos be a problem?

When asbestos materials age or When asbestos materials age or become damaged they can release become damaged they can release fibres into the air. fibres into the air.

These can be breathed These can be breathed deep into the lung.deep into the lung.

Asbestos fibre in Lung Tissue Asbestos fibre in Lung Tissue

When very high levels of When very high levels of these fibres are Inhaled . . .these fibres are Inhaled . . .

You are at risk of developing lung You are at risk of developing lung diseases,diseases,

Such as Mesothelioma and Such as Mesothelioma and Asbestosis.Asbestosis.

The types of asbestos The types of asbestos materials that may be found in materials that may be found in

homes are described as homes are described as follows:follows: Insulating boardInsulating board

((Asbestos content 20-45 percent.)Asbestos content 20-45 percent.)

Asbestos laggingAsbestos lagging (Asbestos content 55-100 percent.)(Asbestos content 55-100 percent.)

Textured CoatingsTextured Coatings Such as popcorn ceilingsSuch as popcorn ceilings

Asbestos-cement productsAsbestos-cement products

Asbestos content mainly 10-15 Asbestos content mainly 10-15 percent, but sometimes up to 40 percent, but sometimes up to 40 percent.)percent.)

Heating appliances and domestic Heating appliances and domestic equipmentequipment

Such as old radiatorsSuch as old radiators

What should I do If I find What should I do If I find Asbestos in my home?Asbestos in my home?

1.1. Asbestos materials in good Asbestos materials in good condition that cannot readily be condition that cannot readily be damageddamaged are often best left are often best left where they are because where they are because removal can lead to higher removal can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air for levels of fibres in the air for some time.some time.

22.. Check the condition of asbestos Check the condition of asbestos materials from time to time to materials from time to time to make sure they have not become make sure they have not become damaged or started to damaged or started to deteriorate.deteriorate.

Do not disturb Asbestos!Do not disturb Asbestos!

3. 3. If you are planning home If you are planning home improvements or maintenance and improvements or maintenance and have asbestos in your home, always have asbestos in your home, always inform builders, maintenance inform builders, maintenance workers or contractors before they workers or contractors before they start work.start work.

4.4. Do not sand, drill, saw or work Do not sand, drill, saw or work on asbestos containing on asbestos containing materials.materials.

For more Information -For more Information - and and safety advise please visit our safety advise please visit our website. website. http://www.mesotheliomalungs.orghttp://www.mesotheliomalungs.org