Dangers of Asbestos

Mesothelioma, or “asbestosis” is a rare disease which affects the lungs and arises from exposure to asbestos fibres. Mesothelioma causes shortness of breath and pleural plagues, and has been responsible for many deaths over the last few decades. The period between exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease varies, but it presents itself, typically, 15 – 25 years after the exposure. At this stage, asbestos exposure is the only known cause of Mesothelioma.

The risks with Asbestos arise from breathing in the microscopic asbestos fibres released when they are “stirred up” from either mishandling or heavy wear and resulting deterioration. Asbestos cement sheeting used in the past for roofing contains around 5 – 10% chrysotile (white asbestos). This is enough to present a risk to anyone handling it and so it advisable to have a licensed professional remove this for you.

Popular opinion is that Asbestos fibres are only stirred up from breaking or cutting the material, or from mishandling. While this is true, it fails to point out how easily Asbestos sheets break while being handled – such as removing the fixings securing the asbestos sheets, and then removing the sheets themselves. Even gentle handling can be enough to put microscopic fibres into the air – fibres that you then breathe in. It’s when the microscopic asbestos fibres enter your lungs that the real danger presents itself. You see, these fibres are shaped like a hook. The hook end of the fibre can lodge itself in the wall of a lung, and that is when you are “infected”.

You should engage a licensed professional to remove your asbestos roof. A professional will take all necessary precautions such as:

• Spraying the roof with PVA glue before any work commences – this encapsulates the fibres and minimises the amount of fibres that will be “stirred up” when the roof is removed.
• After removing sheets, wrapping them in Builders plastic and taping up each pack.
• All packs of wrapped up sheets removed from site (on a truck which then takes the asbestos away to an asbestos waste disposal depot).
• Suits, masks, gloves and shoe covers are worn for our safety.
• Your front yard will be “cordoned” off and a sign stating that it is an asbestos work site will be erected at the front to warn passers by.
• Your ceiling will be vacuumed to remove any fibres from your ceiling cavity.
• After removal, your yard will be scoured and any asbestos debris will be removed. At Reliance, we take all of these precautions and exceed ‘Workplace Health and Safety’ regulations. In fact, Workplace Health and Safety undertake regular random checks. We’ve had several inspections carried out on sites we’ve been working on and we’ve passed every time.

Get Your Obligation Free Quote Today!

If you would like more information about the Roof Restoration process or a free quote with no obligation call Reliance now for a on (07) 3286 3900 or fill out our quote form and we’ll call you promptly.