Older houses were known to be linked with asbestos, especially those that were constructed before the 80s. But the question that most Australian homeowners and property buyers might have remaining in their minds is: did our homes after 1990 use asbestos?
The yes or no is not the answer, and knowing about the risk of asbestos in post-1990 homes is vital to health and safety.
This article dives into the modern home’s asbestos risk, an overview of late-use asbestos in Australia, and how you can go about determining whether your home may still contain some asbestos, no matter the year of construction.
Historical Applications of Asbestos in Australia
Australia had one of the world’s highest rates of asbestos consumption per head. It found great use in construction materials on account of its strength, heat resistance, and insulating ability. The common places where asbestos can be seen are:
- Roofs and wall sheeting
- Flood tiles of vinyl
- Cement pipes
- Insulation materials
- Fencing panels
Did Asbestos Get Banned in 1990?
No, it was not until 31 December 2003 that a total ban was imposed. There exist some products containing asbestos still in use, particularly in building materials. Builders would evade the remaining asbestos stock or imports of asbestos-containing goods after 1990. That is why you should not conclude the absence of asbestos only from the age of your house. When in doubt, have a professional inspection to analyse asbestos before applying a renovation or repair.
When Was the Official Stoppage of Asbestos Use?
On 31 December 2003, the complete prohibition on all asbestos products in Australia went into operation. Thereafter, it was prohibited to produce, import, commercialise, or use any products with asbestos.
Still, the year of construction and the presence of asbestos are seldom that straightforward. Although houses constructed after 2003 have lower chances of asbestos, it is not guaranteed since a house needs to be tested.
Checking Your Home to See If It Has Asbestos
In case you cannot be sure that your home is in danger, the following are the most appropriate things to do:
Review your building records:
Once you have a building document or council records about your home, check whether there was any asbestos-containing building material. Such records may provide some insight into the kind of material used when constructing the building. It is particularly older homes that were built before 2004.
Check possible asbestos sites:
Look out for places such as eaves, wall lining, ceilings, vinyl floors, and roofing. Most places commonly use asbestos. Of the areas to be handled and inspected by a professional, your home needs to have been constructed before the year 2004.
Make a professional inspection:
Use a qualified asbestos assessor to inspect your property. They can also determine whether there are any asbestos materials or not and suggest a course of action. Self-diagnosis is not only unsafe but also not always correct; consultations are required.
Touch no doubt materials:
Do not cut, drill, or rip away such a material that you suspect of containing asbestos. Asbestos can come loose, causing damaging fibres in the air, raising the chances of health complications. Never attempt to touch probable asbestos-filled materials without expert guidance and authorisation.
The Reasons Why Asbestos May Be Found in Modern Homes
A lot of individuals believe that post-1990 constructed homes do not contain asbestos whatsoever. Although minimal, the possibility of asbestos still exists in modern homes because of a few major factors.
- Stale Stock in Building
Although the risk of asbestos was becoming increasingly understood in the early 1990s, builders continued to use existing stocks of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Such substances found their way to the market until 2003, when the total ban finally occurred.
- Asbestos-Containing Imported Materials
Other imported building materials have asbestos, even though the use of asbestos in the region started to diminish. Such imports would at times sneak in through improper labelling or regulation.
- Renovation that Employs Old Materials
The materials installed even in a new house could have been the materials reused in the destruction of older buildings. Pre-1980s homes could have reused the roofing, fencing, or wall sheets, introducing unintentional asbestos into post-1990 homes.
- Delayed Awareness/Miscommunication
The construction workers and suppliers would, in the early 1990s, have had no full information about asbestos dangers. This contributed to the late use of asbestos in Australia, including regional or unregulated regions.
Final Word
Although the use of asbestos started to diminish in the 1980s, it was not stopped from being hazardous until 2003. Stocks of asbestos may still be present in houses constructed between 1990 and 2003.
The next thing to understand is the construction year of your dwelling and the year the building materials used asbestos. In the doubtful case, refer to a professional and testing. The precaution is worth good health, yours and that of your loved ones.
Confused about the asbestos risk in your modern home? Let Asbestos Victoria keep you secure.