What is bonded asbestos

Become Asbestos Aware

Many people worldwide are exposed to small quantities of asbestos fibres in the air they breathe daily. Generally, there are about 10 to 200 fibres per 1,000 litres (cubic metres) of ambient or background air.

The degree and duration of exposure, the interval since the initial exposure, the kind of fibre, and concurrent exposure to cigarette smoke and other carcinogens are just a few examples of the exposure factors that might influence whether someone develops an asbestos-related illness.

You will learn more about bonded asbestos in this post, including other forms of asbestos products and materials to be aware of, so read on.

What Is Bonded Asbestos?

Products containing bonded asbestos are created by combining a bonding agent (such as cement or plastic) with a small amount of asbestos—typically less than 15%. Products made with bonded asbestos are solid, inflexible, and non-friable; they cannot be manually crushed, ground, or reduced to powder, which adds to their appeal.

Such products contain firmly bonded asbestos fibres that aren't often discharged into the atmosphere. The terms "fibro," "asbestos cement," and "AC sheeting" are all used to refer to cement-bonded asbestos materials.

Products containing bonded asbestos often don't discharge any asbestos particles into the air when they're in excellent condition. They are thought to provide very minimal risk to anybody who comes into touch with them, provided that the proper safety measures are taken when they are startled.

However, they may become friable asbestos when the bonded asbestos materials are damaged, exposed to powerful solvents, or severely weathered. Examples of non-friable asbestos-containing products include vinyl floor tiles, bitumen-based waterproofing, and asbestos cement sheet.

What About Friable Asbestos?

When dry, friable asbestos materials may be crushed into fine particles or dust even if minimal pressure is applied as they are often reasonably loose. As is the case with other types of asbestos, friable asbestos materials are hazardous if disturbed as the asbestos fibres can readily enter the air and be breathed by nearby residents or workers. Since the late 1800s, friable asbestos has been extensively employed in industrial and commercial settings for insulation, soundproofing, and fire resistance.

In addition, friable asbestos was utilised in particular construction materials and could still be present in your home if it was constructed before 1990. Boiler insulation, pipe lagging, fire retardants, and sprayed insulation are a few examples of materials that may include friable asbestos. However, its application has since been banned.

DIY Asbestos Removal Needs For Your Property

Do-it-yourself asbestos removal is not permitted and is even illegal in some areas. A certified asbestos removalist must do all asbestos removal work in the Australian Capital Territory. As an exception, as long as the site is no more than 10 square metres, non-licensed individuals can remove non-friable asbestos in all other states and territories.

If you remove bonded asbestos from an area of about 10 square metres or less, the instructions in this next section will help you lower the danger of exposing you or others to asbestos fibres. The following are the key points to bear in mind:

• An unlicensed individual performing non-friable asbestos removal works must be regarded as a competent individual. This entails that the individual must have obtained the necessary training, work experience, and tools for the job.

• Even though someone can do work of this kind without a licence, it can still be perilous to your health and that of others.

• Generally, one bathroom wall measures around 10 square metres in size (about four sheets of asbestos cement wall sheeting). You will often need a certified asbestos removalist for asbestos removal activities that entail more significant regions.

• The majority of standard insurance policies won't cover any job using asbestos. You should be aware of this and keep in mind that, as an unlicensed mover or do-it-yourself renovator, you can be responsible for paying very high clean-up fees.

Additional considerations

If you are a DIY house renovator considering removing non-friable asbestos by yourself, there are a few things to consider. It is essential to consider whether you have the necessary knowledge, expertise, and tools to ensure the lowest potential danger of asbestos exposure.

You must always keep the risk of exposure to asbestos particles to a minimum under all laws and regulations. Additionally, remember that even though an unlicensed individual can handle non-friable asbestos in areas less than ten square metres, it does not imply that they should.

If you are still undecided on whether to remove asbestos from your property on your own, think about the risks involved in undertaking such an operation. Experts typically carry out asbestos removal under rigorous protective and safety procedures. Consequently, engaging a professional in asbestos management is advisable because it may be exceedingly dangerous to your health.

Asbestos Amounts Permitted For Personal Removal

As long as the asbestos is entirely non-friable, homeowners can legally remove up to ten square metres of the material. Ten square metres generally equates to the area of four sheets of asbestos cement wall sheeting or an ordinary bathroom. Larger areas are typically included in asbestos removal projects since, if asbestos sheeting is found in one place, there is probably more of it across the entire property.

In addition, the kind of asbestos present has a significant impact on how much can be removed. A licensed asbestos removalist will be legally necessary most of the time.

Professional Asbestos Removal Services

Even though you typically consider yourself to be a handy person, it is not worth the risk to remove asbestos all by yourself. Because asbestos is inherently brittle, there is a reasonable risk that asbestos fibres may discharge into the air when you handle asbestos-containing items and enter your lungs.

When they manage asbestos, unlicensed asbestos removalists put their own lives and the lives of those around them in grave danger. The fact of the matter is an unlicensed individual cannot remove asbestos as safely and correctly as a professional.

A licenced asbestos worker is someone who has completed extensive training, is knowledgeable about the many forms of asbestos, and most likely has a lot of expertise in the safe handling and administration of asbestos products. Licensed asbestos removalists can handle any kind of asbestos, whether friable or non-friable.

They safely separate it from the rest of the building to try and prevent the fibres from contaminating other areas, carefully removing the materials with the necessary caution and disposing of the asbestos in the defined area. To ensure a property's safety, asbestos items must be safely inspected, removed, and disposed of by experts.

Let The Experts Handle Your Asbestos Issues

Asbestos comes in various forms depending on what it was created to do, as you have read in this post. The government and the health sectors are keen on creating awareness of the dangers asbestos poses to humans. Because of the terrible situation, Australia's government decided to ban both the use and manufacture of asbestos products.

However, some homes constructed in the 1970s and 1980s still have asbestos-containing materials. Therefore, if you suspect that your property might contain traces of asbestos, whether friable or bonded, contact a reputable asbestos removal company for assistance.