Asbestos: that deadly mineral that we Aussies became all too accustomed to hearing about. In fact, Sydney is currently facing an asbestos crisis, with the remediation of dozens of public sites containing asbestos-contaminated mulch.
Given that the mineral can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other deadly health problems, you can see why the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is racing to remediate the situation.
But it’s not just Australia’s public areas that infamously contain the deadly mineral: it can also be found in any home or business built before the late-1980s.
Naturally, if you are concerned about the mineral, the first thing you should do is enlist professional asbestos air testing. If, of course, your home or business contains the substance, the experts will then go to work on safely removing it.
But in the meantime you might like to follow these important tips on how to avoid exposure to a potential presence in your home or business:
Table of Contents
Call the experts
First and foremost, you must call in the experts to conduct efficient testing before deciding on whether to remediate the problem. If, of course, the experts locate the mineral’s existence in your home or business, then it is obviously a great idea to have the problem immediately remediated. The experts will follow the correct disposal methods to ensure your space is safely alleviated from this terrible substance!
Avoid agitating locations containing the mineral
When awaiting the professionals, it’s best to avoid agitating areas that may contain the mineral. After all, you’ve called in the experts because you believe your home has the mineral’s presence, so you should avoid knocking out ceiling tiles, flooring and insulation, as these are the areas most likely to contain the deadly mineral.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
If you work in a business that could be susceptible to releasing this deadly mineral then it is absolutely imperative that you wear PPE when working. Naturally, if your workplace is susceptible to its presence, then you will likely have already called in the experts, but in the meantime it’s imperative that if you intend to continue working in an affected area that you use proper PPE.
Keep the area clean & well-ventilated
A poorly-ventilated home or business is one that can allow the spread of this horrific substance. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep your space clean and well-ventilated to ensure it can’t become airborne. So, how do you clean a space that is susceptible to the mineral? By using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, whilst avoiding brooms and brushes that might agitate a susceptible area.
Use warning signs to alert others to its presence
Whilst awaiting professional removal, you will want to alert others to its presence in your property or business, that way individuals can decide whether they want to enter an area that potentially contains the dangerous substance. It isn’t hard to find warning signs regarding the mineral as it was such a prominent part of Australian construction for so long. Just be sure to place them in the most visible area to ensure full awareness of the substance’s presence.
Naturally, nobody wants this harmful mineral in their home or business, and so you’ve probably already taken steps to remediate it. But in the meantime, be sure to follow these imperative measures to avoid exposure to its disastrous fibres.