Asbestos News
Asbestos still being removed from flood-hit Australian homes
Asbestos removal continues in many flood-damaged homes in the Australian state of Queensland.The Queensland Times reports that contractors have been abating the naturally occurring mineral from homes in Ipswich.
"The houses we are working on are all built before 1990. Most of them are going to have asbestos in them and we have to remove it," asbestos abatement expert Trevor Palmer told the news source. "We'll strip the house down and take all the materials out and then take another half a day to de-nail, gurney and vacuum and then we use a sanitized PVA to contain any particles of asbestos. It is then safe for anyone to come in after us."
Master Builders Association workplace health and safety manager Sean King told the news provider that not every bit of asbestos needs to be abated, as undamaged asbestos sheeting can safely remain in homes in certain situations.
However, removing damaged asbestos from homes is a major part of flood cleanup as these airborne fibers can cause the diseases malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer if they are inhaled.
5/26/11
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