Colour-Coding Your Asbestos Risk
In the early 20th century, engineers were convinced that they had come across the ideal building and insulation material with the discovery of asbestos. It was naturally resistant to heat and fire, relatively low-cost and ideal for sound absorption as well. It's little wonder that asbestos was in widespread use throughout most of the century until, in the 1980s, it was linked to cancer and other serious ailments. Of course, the material is banned today but it can still be found in thousands of buildings across Australia and if you're getting ready to transform an old building into a commercial opportunity, you are ultimately responsible for finding it. But did you know that there are several different types of asbestos, identified by their colour?
Blue
Blue asbestos, also known as crocidolite, was the favoured solution for cement sheeting, insulation, fireproofing and roof tiles. It can also be found within pipe insulation and was sometimes used as a spray-on coating as well. It is one of the riskiest types of asbestos, as the fibres are very thin and can be inhaled easily.
Brown
Brown asbestos is the given name for amosite. This particular derivative can be found within pipe insulation and cement sheeting, together with roofing products, vinyl tiles, insulation board and industrial gaskets. Many people think that this form of asbestos is the most dangerous of all as it can lead to a higher risk of cancer than the others.
White
You are more likely to come across white asbestos, aka chrysotile, as this was the favoured form for the latter part of the century. It's most likely to be found within floors, walls, ceilings and roofs and it was also used extensively due to its superior insulation for piping and ducts.
This form of asbestos is different from the others as it has an unusual fibre structure. It was very popular due to its flexibility which made it easy to weave into fabric or fit into tight or narrow areas.
Over to the Experts
It's good to know that there are several different types of asbestos but it's best if you don't come face-to-face with these variants yourself. You may be ultimately responsible for ensuring that your building is safe, but you should definitely leave any search or removal activities to the experts. Get in touch with your nearest commercial asbestos disposal specialist so that they can handle this crucial task.
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