Asbestos

Asbestos is the name given to a group of fibrous silicate minerals that can potentially cause illnesses including cancer and or lung disease if inhaled.

Asbestos can be found in a wide range of products used in the Australian building industry between the 1940s and late 1980s, and in the brakes, clutches and gaskets of many cars.

The most commonly found household building materials that contain asbestos are asbestos-cement products (also called fibro sheeting).

Generally the presence of these firmly-bound asbestos products do not pose an immediate risk to health unless the material is broken, deteriorating, or disturbed in such a way that dust containing asbestos fibres is produced.

Removal and Disposal

Special precautions, procedures and disposable personal protective equipment are essential for anyone intending to remove asbestos. Only waste disposal sites that have been specifically licenced by the EPA will accept waste asbestos material.

It is highly recommended that both the removal and disposal of asbestos be carried out by professional asbestos removalists.

Any concerns regarding the removal of asbestos in an unsafe manner by a neighbour or resident should be reported immediately to Council's Environmental Health Department on Ph: 03 8290 3393.

Any concerns regarding the removal of asbestos in an unsafe manner by a builder or contractor should directed to the WorkSafe Victoria on Ph: 03 9641 1555.