What is asbestos made from

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of fibres that are resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. For this reason, asbestos has a lot of applications. However, asbestos exposure is highly hazardous. Asbestos was widely used in buildings as an efficient insulator, and it can be added to fabric, paper, cement, and other materials to strengthen them.

The material can become permanently lodged within the body when its fibres are inhaled or swallowed. If asbestos particles stay in the body for a long time, they can cause inflammation, scarring, and, in the long run, damage to the tissue. Asbestos exposure can also result in cancer and other health problems.

Mesothelioma, a rare and severe cancer, is nearly solely caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos also causes asbestosis, a progressive lung disease. Asbestos is a hazardous substance due to its carcinogenic properties.

What Is Asbestos Made From?

Asbestos sources are located underground. The ore is extracted and brought to the surface for processing using traditional mining techniques. There are different types of asbestos, but the most common one is the chrysotile. Chrysotile is typically found near the surface and is extracted using an open-pit mine.

Other asbestos deposits are at different depths and may require tunnels 300 metres deep to reach them. Asbestos fibres are produced by the progressive accumulation of mineral crystals in fissures or veins in soft rock formations. The crystals develop throughout the vein, and the vein's diameter determines the length of asbestos fibres.

The chemical makeup of the fibres is comparable to that of the asbestos rock because the mineral originates from the surrounding rock. The asbestos in the stony ore has to be taken out using physical methods instead of the chemical methods that are sometimes used to treat other ores. Here are the steps needed to refine chrysotile asbestos ore that is mined in Australia:

Step One: Asbestos mining

The first stage in the asbestos production journey is to have asbestos mined. Typically, chrysotile asbestos deposits are detected using a magnetic sensor known as a magnetometer. This technique exploits the fact that magnetite is frequently found near asbestos deposits.

Core drilling is used to find the location of asbestos deposits and to measure the quantity and purity of the asbestos. The majority of chrysotile asbestos mining is undertaken in open-pit mines. A spiralling array of flat terraces or seats are carved into the inside sloping walls of the pit.

These serve as both a work platform and a route for transporting ore out of the mine. Asbestos ore reserves are separated from the surrounding rock using explosives and careful drilling. The resultant rock rubble is loaded onto huge haul trucks with rubber tyres and then removed from the mine.

A portion of the ore deposit is undercut until it collapses under its own weight and flows down a chute into the waiting haul trucks through "block caving."

Step Two: Asbestos processing

The ore contains asbestos in a range of about 10%, which must be carefully removed from the rock to avoid shattering the extremely fine threads. The most commonly used separating technique is dry milling. The asbestos fibres are actually sucked out of the ore by a series of crushing and vacuum aspiration procedures using this technique.

Then, the second set of separation steps is done to get rid of rock dust and other small particles. The ore is put through a jaw crusher that crushes it into pieces smaller than 0.75 inches (20.0 millimetres) in diameter. The crushed ore is subsequently dried to eliminate any remaining moisture.

The ore falls onto the surface of a vibrating 30-mesh screen with 0.002 in (0.06 mm) diameter holes. As the screen vibrates, asbestos fibres that have been liberated float to the top of the crushed ore and are then sucked away. Only the tiniest rock particles are removed with the asbestos since the crushed ore is far denser than the fibres.

Throughs or tailings, the extremely fine silt and rock particles that pass through the vibrating screen, are discarded.

Crushed ore

The crushed ore fragments that remain on the screen are known as overs and are sent to the subsequent processing step. The ore crushed by the first screen is delivered to a second crusher to reduce the ore particles to a diameter of 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) or smaller. The ore then falls onto a second vibrating screen with 30 mesh holes, completing steps 3 and 4.

The procedure of asbestos fibre crushing and vacuum aspiration is done twice more. The remaining ore is so tiny that it falls through the screen and is dumped once the last asbestos fibres have been extracted. This four-step procedure also isolates asbestos fibres according to their length.

In the first crusher, the longest fibres are separated from the surrounding rock and sucked off the first screen. Shorter fibres are freed and collected with each set of crushers and screens that comes after until the shortest fibres are caught on the last screen.

The asbestos fibres and other particles caught by each screen are conveyed through four independent cyclone separators floating in a stream of air. The heavier trash and rock-dust particles fall to the centre of a spinning air flow and exit the separators at the bottom. The air is then sent through four different sets of filters, which catch asbestos fibres of different lengths.

Health Risks Associated With Asbestos

Airborne asbestos particles pose the most significant health risk to human wellbeing. Asbestos workers can easily inhale particles when asbestos fibres become airborne.

These particles persist in the lungs and can cause sickness over time. The likelihood of acquiring an asbestos-related illness depends on the amount and duration of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos use was at its peak in the mid to late 1970s. Asbestos cement products such as asbestos flues and water pipes remained in use until the 1990s. Today, the material is no longer used in brake linings, pads, or clutch plates.

Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause health issues. The body eliminates the majority of inhaled fibres, but some may become retained in the lungs and cause sickness many years later. Some of the asbestos-related diseases include the following:

Asbestosis

The disease asbestosis is not cancer. It is a chronic and progressive lung illness caused by long-term occupational exposure to asbestos fibres. Five to twenty years may pass before symptoms appear. Asbestos fibres ingested over time cause scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs.

The lungs acquire a honeycomb-like appearance. The scar tissue, or fibrosis, is rigid and inflexible; this causes the lungs to stiffen and impairs their function. Asbestosis causes shortness of breath, chest tightness, continuous coughing, and a blue hue to the skin due to lack of oxygen.

Obtaining sufficient oxygen with each breath requires considerably more work. Typically, asbestosis worsens with time. It can cause respiratory failure and, ultimately, death. There is no treatment for this illness. Asbestosis can be diagnosed with the help of a lung function test or a chest x-ray, which shows fibrosis as a cloudy area.

Individuals who smoke are more prone to getting asbestosis than those who do not. You must quit smoking to lower your chance of developing asbestosis if you have previously been exposed to asbestos. Stopping smoking reduces your chance of developing lung cancer.

Cancerous mesothelioma

This uncommon cancer attacks the outermost layer of the lungs - the pleura. It is closely related to prior asbestos exposure. The tumour progresses from the pleura to the lung and chest wall. There is presently no treatment available. A diagnosis might be made 30 to 40 years after asbestos exposure, which is when symptoms typically manifest.

Australia has the highest documented rate of mesothelioma in the world. This is likely due to the extensive use of asbestos in the past. It is anticipated that up to 11,000 more cases may arise and be diagnosed.

Pleural disease

The pleura is the tissue lining the chest cavity and covering the lungs' surface. Asbestos can result in pleural plaques or extensive pleural fibrosis and effusions (fluid in the chest cavity).

These disorders will be seen on chest x-rays, although they are not malignant. Even though they may not cause symptoms, lung function tests show that they make breathing harder.

Lung cancer

Long-term exposure to substantial quantities of asbestos fibres significantly increases the chances of acquiring lung cancer. The danger is multiplied many times among smokers. If the tumour is not treated early, it will spread throughout the lungs and eventually to other organs.

The most prevalent first symptom is a persistent cough. Typically, lung cancer develops 10 to 20 years after asbestos exposure.

How To Safely Get Rid Of Asbestos

A professional asbestos removalist understands how to properly remove and dispose of asbestos and cleanse your home to reduce health concerns. You must adhere to stringent safety protocols before, during, and after the removal if you want to remove asbestos in your house without a licence.

Anyone hired to perform work on your home must adhere to the legal standards of asbestos removal. These include a stringent Code of Practice and all Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation. So, let's look at some tips for removing asbestos.

Tip One: Make a plan

The first step in the asbestos planning process is locating asbestos on the premises. A qualified asbestos inspector should check your property and provide a report. Asbestos can only be identified by sample testing at a NATA-accredited laboratory.

Once you find the material on any part of your property, schedule renovations or upkeep. You can choose to leave asbestos alone or adequately cover it. We recommend engaging a qualified asbestos removalist to handle removal. Take precautions to ensure everyone's safety if you decide to remove asbestos in your own home.

This includes:

• Using plastic drop sheets with a 200-micron thickness to separate the work area from the rest of the building.

• Having sufficient asbestos-safe PPE on-site for everyone.

• Limiting the number of personnel on-site during removal work.

• Notifying neighbours of the removal.

• Establishing a decontamination zone to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres.

• Having proper wrapping and labelling supplies available for asbestos garbage.

• Preparations for disposal.

Tip Two: Have the necessary PPE

PPE is protective equipment that acts as a physical barrier between you and hazardous asbestos fibres. PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) protect wearers against inhaling fibres and safeguard clothing against contamination. Adhere to the required PPE regulations for asbestos.

A typical dust mask cannot protect one from asbestos fibres. Always use a P2-rated face mask, which you may purchase at hardware stores. It is essential to put on PPE in the correct sequence and wear it properly. Otherwise, you risk exposure to hazardous asbestos fibres.

The long-term consequences of asbestos exposure do not justify the associated danger. You must follow the following sequence when wearing your PPE while removing asbestos in your home.

• Disposable coveralls: These should be equipped with a hood and elastic cuffs. Choose a size higher to lessen the possibility of ripping.

• Shoes: Do not wear shoes with laces as they are challenging to clean. Rubber boots are safer because they can be wiped clean.

• Disposable shoe covers: These must be secure and completely cover the shoe. The soles must be slip-resistant.

• Disposable gloves: Place gloves beneath the elasticised cuffs. If the cuffs are slack, secure them with tape to form a seal.

• Face mask: Don't use a regular dust mask. Always wear a particle face mask with a P2 rating. It should cover half of your face and fit comfortably. For the mask to fit well, you must be clean-shaven.

• Eyewear with protective features: Wear protective glasses to prevent dust from entering your eyes.

Tip Three: Decontamination after asbestos removal

The area must be cleaned and disinfected to eliminate any asbestos fibres and safeguard everyone's health after asbestos has been removed. It is essential to reduce dust levels and prevent the spread of airborne dust. You need to do the following when decontaminating your house after asbestos removal.

Preparation

• Make the following items available: A pen, a duct pipe, a plastic or plastic waste bag (at least 200 microns thick), and wet rags.

• Clearly label all asbestos trash bags before your start decontamination. The label should read WARNING: ASBESTOS WASTE.

Dust removal

• Use a moist wipe or towel to clean the drop sheet of any dust or dirt.

• For a clean surface, fold rags but do not crimp them.

• Use a clean wet wipe to take out dust from your disposable coveralls and any other PPE and tools used during the clean-up process.

• Do not reuse clothes after rinsing them. Once they've been used, you should discard them.

Drop sheet removal

• Asbestos-containing materials should be wrapped in plastic drop sheets by folding each sheet in on itself so that there is no asbestos on the outside.

• Fold the wet wipes or rags employed in the initial phase of disinfection into the drop sheet.

• Wrap the plastic sheets in duct tape and put them in a trash can with "ASBESTOS" marked on it.

PPE removal

• Have your face mask on while removing the remainder of your PPE.

• Roll coveralls inside out from the top-down as you remove them. Put your protective clothes in a trash bag or plastic drop sheet that says "ASBESTOS" clearly.

• Remove your shoe coverings and use a moist cloth to clean your gumboots. Put shoe covers and moist wipes in the trash bag.

• Take off your face mask and dispose of it in the trash.

• Utilise a damp wipe or a moist towel to clean the exterior of the asbestos garbage bags or drop sheets. Place used wet wipes into the bag.

• Use duct tape to tightly seal the waste bag or drop sheets and identify all trash as DANGER: ASBESTOS WASTE.

• Thoroughly wash your hands, nails, and face with soapy water.

Tip Four: Disposal of asbestos waste

You can only dispose of asbestos waste in landfills authorised to receive it. Contact your local landfill to verify that they accept asbestos and inquire about disposal procedures.

Using a permitted landfill keeps asbestos out of the neighbourhood and in a well-managed area. Hire a registered asbestos removal professional to remove and get rid of asbestos trash.

Cost of asbestos waste disposal

The price of asbestos disposal differs by facility type. If you choose to clean up tiny bits of asbestos yourself, you will have to pay to get rid of them.

Consider using WasteLocate

WasteLocate has an effective system to help people transport asbestos trash, asbestos soil, or waste tires. WasteLocate uses the GPS in your mobile smartphone to trace each load of asbestos or tire trash from collection to disposal. It creates a unique consignment number, just like a postal package.

WasteLocate was designed to combat the illicit disposal of asbestos and tires. You must use WasteLocate if you are removing and transporting more than 100kg or 10m2 of asbestos trash. This covers both unauthorised and licensed asbestos removal companies.

If you own the property from which the asbestos trash originated, you are liable for the material's disposal even if a licensed removalist or tradesperson performs the task. Ask your mover for a WasteLocate consignment number and use the tracker to keep an eye on the disposal.

Asbestos disposal restrictions

It is forbidden to:

• Send asbestos garbage to a landfill not authorised to accept it.

• Dispose of asbestos in your curb side bin.

• Put asbestos in a skip bin that isn't covered or a skip container that can't hold asbestos.

Factors When Hiring Asbestos Removalists

You may require an asbestos removal expert for residential purposes, for a villa, a large cottage, or for your company location. Hiring an asbestos removalist is not something you should do on the fly or without much thought.

You may even need to enquire with people you know, do research in your city (using the Internet, of course), and conduct several interviews. The following are the most important factors to consider during the hiring process:

Experience

Always seek specialists with a decade or more of expertise in this field. They have the skills and experience to deal with various clients and never fail to provide prompt and efficient service. They must provide asbestos testing services to all types of residential clients as well as industrial and commercial properties in Australia.

There is no need to employ an inexperienced businessperson. No problem if you wish to find a lower price. You can always find a provider with competitive pricing.

Competitive pricing

If a business has offered to remove asbestos for less money, you should not believe them. There will definitely be a problem with their work or equipment. Alternatively, they may have hired inexperienced workers for the tasks mentioned above. Similarly, choosing a firm that charges significantly more than its competitors is unwise.

You do not need to pay a premium for superior services. Always choose a provider that offers reasonable pricing and quotations that are tailored to your budget and needs. In addition, they should not charge for providing estimates. You should be able to get free estimates through the telephone or the official website.

Client satisfaction

You can determine whether or not their clients are satisfied with the services through reviews and ratings. This section reveals a great deal about the company's work style and staff.

Remove Asbestos And Safeguard Your Health

Asbestos has been proven to be very dangerous to your health. On December 31, 2003, all asbestos and asbestos-containing goods were banned across Australia. The ban covers importation, storage, distribution, sale, installation, use, and reuse.

If you still have some asbestos-related material in your home, you could be exposing yourself and your loved ones to grave health complications in the future. The best thing to do in the event you discover asbestos is to hire a reputable asbestos removal company to help you eliminate these carcinogenic substances. Remember, health is wealth!