Asbestos in your Home
Asbestos can be very hazardous if it's not treated with respect.
A majority of homes built between 1950s and late 1970s, were built using products / finishes containing asbestos. Asbestos was used in household building products up until approximately the mid- 1980s.
1. Do not attempt to handle asbestos removal on your own.
2. Professional accredited scientific testing of asbestos contamination is absolutely necessary. 3. Certified professional removal and correct disposal and decontamination are required. 4. Once ‘professional certified’ removal of asbestos contaminated products is completed: Retesting of surfaces / soils and roof spaces, via damp swab testing, clean air testing and
soil core testing is required.
Certification of decontamination once all tests prove negative.
For all information, visit Capital Environmental Services site: http://www.fibres.co.nz/
1. Cement sheet claddings and soffits:
Asbestos Cement Sheet (often known as ‘Fibrolite’) – cracked during seismic events, or deterioration over time exposes asbestos fibres,. Asbestos cement sheet that is not damaged and well-sealed is not usually a risk. However, once cracked / broken and raw edges exposed, minute asbestos fibres can contaminate your property. Professional Certified Professionals are required to remove damaged asbestos claddings. Care also needs to be taken when it is modified.
2. Textured (Stippled) Wall and Ceiling finishes:
Have asbestos dust particles travelled throughout your dwelling structure, and now lie between floorboards, throughout your personal belongings, under your floors, or in your roof space?
Textured ceilings and walls often contain asbestos.
There is a low risk of exposure if ceilings are in good condition, but when cracked, water logged or broken, the seal on surfaces containing asbestos becomes
The matrix of this roofing material has deteriorated and now has millions of exposed
asbestos fibres (friable asbestos). Water collected and tested from supersix roofing,
has shown there to be millions of asbestos fibres per litre of water. This is causing
asbestos contamination problems in sites containing this roofing and surrounding
areas.
SUPERSIX ROOFING: (often used during the 1950s to mid- 1970s) The matrix of this roofing material has deteriorated and now has millions of exposed asbestos fibres (friable asbestos). Water collected and tested from supersix roofing, has shown there to be millions of asbestos fibres per litre of water. This is causing asbestos
contamination problems in sites containing this roofing and surrounding areas
Have you had Stipple ceilings sanded
and inappropriately removed?
ineffective, and asbestos particles are released into our airspace by ongoing earthquakes, movement and friction between exposed / cracked surfaces.
3. Ceilings:
Ceilings can also be made of asbestos carrying materials, and if subject to cracking / water ingress or inappropriate removal, particles can become airborne.
Many ceiling tiles used during the 1960s and well into the 1970s contain a high asbestos content.
Asbestos sheets were often used to line ceilings during the 1960s and 1970s.
4. Roof Space:
This is where asbestos dust particles can remain. Roof spaces are designed to have ventilation / airflow. Asbestos particles within the roof space, can become easily airborne, and work their way into living areas via cracks in ceilings and light fittings.
5. Pre 1985 Vinyl, linoleum and floor adhesives:
The asbestos content of vinyl is found in the papery backing of the vinyl. Linoleum tiles can sometimes contain asbestos with- in the linoleum itself. There is a low risk of exposure to asbestos, unless the flooring is worn or damaged. However any removal must be done by a person who holds a certificate of competence for asbestos removal. Special care needs to be taken if you intend to sand floorboards after the removal of asbestos backed vinyl.
6.
Other products within your home which may contain asbestos fibres are:
Lagging around water pipes, Hot water cylinder coverings, Insulation,
Artificial ashes or embers, Fireplace window and door seals, Old Stovetop
pads, Old oven door seals.
7. Bitumen based waterproofing membranes
These can contain asbestos. These are often used to seal flat roofs and parapets. As these membranes deteriorate, and become damaged by UV rays, torque and tear during seismic events, they can release asbestos fibres, especially membrane flooring that is exposed and walked on.
Backing on Pre 1985 vinyl, linoleum tiles and flooring adhesives.
Has your Vinyl or
Lino been damaged during
the earthquakes?
Do you have a ‘flat’ or ‘parapet’ style roof built
between the 1950s and 1980s?
Older ‘Art Deco’ style home?
Removal of any asbestos containing surfaces / products must be done by persons who hold a ‘certificate of competence for asbestos removal’.
There are Asbestos Guidelines for appropriate removal. These guidelines stipulate: Sealing / cordoning off the area about to under-go asbestos removal.
Removing all personal / house hold items (including carpets, drapes and furnishings), to avoid cross contamination.
Persons entering the space affected are to be dressed in proper protection / contamination attire. (Including ventilated face masks).
Contaminated asbestos products must be placed into sealed bags, transported and disposed of in accordance with the Asbestos regulations 1998.
Sampling and Testing
If you have a material you suspect may contain asbestos, we recommend to proper authenticated scientific testing of all samples. These can be completed by:
Capital Environmental Services Wellington: http://www.fibres.co.nz/
Dowdell & Associates Ltd Auckland: http://www.dowdellassociates.co.nz/asbestos-testing The standard cost is approximately $92 per sample (gst incl). These prices are negotiable for ongoing sampling or large quantities (more than 10). Testing takes 48 hours. Please supply an email address where possible for prompt receipt of your report. Urgent testing facilitys ensure same day results, but cost approximately $138 (gst incl) per sample.
A sampling form must be completed and sent with the samples.
Paying for Testing - Credit Card/Debit Card facility that can be used via email, phone or on site otherwise please send a cheque with the sample, or bring cash when you drop the sample off. Taking a Sample: It is not usually necessary to have a person specialising in asbestos take a sample for you. The following items can be sampled by an adult. However care needs to be taken to prevent creating any dust, which may contain asbestos fibres. Wash all utensils under running water immediately after use. If any material drops on the carpet or floor, DO NOT VACUUM or SWEEP, clean up all debris with a damp cloth. Dispose of cloth after use.
PLEASE NOTE: Your Insurer / EQC and Fletchers will prefer to arrange sampling and receiving results themselves. It is our opinion: Your Insurer / EQC and Fletchers, should arrange and pay for all required asbestos sampling and testing, if damage is caused by seismic events. The monies used to pay for this service should NOT be taken out of your accommodation allowance. We strongly advise:
1. You insist in writing to them that they use one of the above mentioned Scientifically Accredited laboratories to test YOUR samples. Receive in writing from your insurer the name and details of the company taking your samples and the laboritry testing your samples.
2. You take photographs of your samples, and insist samples have your address labelled on them. (Initial the lables & photograph).
3. You contact the testing laboratory, and request they photograph and confirm receipt of YOUR samples.
Cement Sheet: Find an area that has been damaged or a discreet corner of the material. Dampen the material with water to prevent dust and break off a portion the size of a 50 cent piece, or
scrape off enough material to fill a teaspoon.
Textured Plaster Ceilings/Walls: Find an area that has been damaged or take from a discreet area, such as under a light shade, smoke alarm, or in the corner of the room. Dampen the area with water to prevent dust. Scrape a teaspoon full of the textured material off the ceiling, ensuring the 'pimply' or textured part of the plaster is included. NOTE: We do not need the gib underneath the textured material.
Pre 1985 Vinyl Floor Coverings or Linoleum Tiles: Dampen an area, using scissors or a craft knife, cut off a piece about the size of a 50cent coin. Ensure that vinyl floor covering samples include the papery backing material which usually remains stuck to the floor as this is where the asbestos is found.
All samples must be in a sealed plastic bag or container. Each sample in its own individual bag and labelled with your address.
Please complete the Sampling Form and place the material to be tested in a sealed plastic bag.
You can deliver, post or courier your sample to us for testing.
Please contact one of the below, for appropriate forms, if you do not have access to internet:
DOWDELL & ASSOCIATES LTD: Occupational Health Analysts & Consultants 4 Cain Rd, Penrose, PO Box 112-017, Penrose, Auckland, 1642, NewZealand
Phone: (09) 5260 246 Fax: (09) 5795 389 Email: info@dowdellassociates.co.nz
CAPITAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Analytical and Consulting Services Postal Address: P.O.BOX 38-328, Wellington Mail Centre 5045
Courier (Do not post to physical address to post): Address: 2-4 Bell Road South, Gracefield, Lower Hutt Phone: (04) 5663311 Fax: (04) 5663312 Email: fibres@ihug.co.nz
ASBESTOS QUESTIONAIRE: Name: ____________________________________________ Phone Home: (03) ______________ Address: ___________________________________________ Phone Work: __________________
When was your house built: (between 1950 & 1985) Yes No Year if known: Comments / Notes: What is the outside cladding made of? Stucco Weatherboard Other:
Do you have stippled ceilings?
Do you have old vinyl / lino (approx. 20 yrs old?) Do you have an old hot water cylinder (over 20 yrs)
Other: eg.. Weatherboards (fibrolite), lagging, bitumen roof.
Have you had asbestos removed from your property? Yes No Fletchers / EQC / Other Have you asked to have your home asbestos tested?
Who did you ask? (insurer or EQC) Has your home been asbestos tested?
If ‘NO’: Please ‘WRITE’ to your insurance company requesting urgent scientific testing of your home for asbestos contamination. Please either e-mail the request, or ‘tracker-mail’ a written letter so you retain a record of the request. Please keep us updated on your testing and results. We will keep your name / contact details on file.
If ‘YES’:
Did they clean air test? Y N Unsure
Did they Swab test? Y N Unsure
Test soil around and under your house?
Y N Unsure
Do you have the test results? Positive Negative Inconclusive If ‘POSSITIVE’:
Has your house been decontaminated?
Y N Unsure
Has your house been retested after decontaminating?
Y N Unsure
Has your house been certified asbestos free?
Y N Unsure
Are you and your family still living in the house?
How many Adults live on the affected property? How many Children live on the affected property?
Do any residents have: chest conditions / ongoing coughs / asthma Persons with health issues.. How old are they?
Are you able to take a sample yourself and afford $92.00 + courier $15. To have your sample tested? Yes / No Do you want us to send your details to the Canterbury District Health Board for investigation? Yes / No Can we use your information to present to the Canterbury Health board and Government in an effort to gain help assistance for victims affected by asbestos contamination? Yes / No
Please fill in and send completed form to: Earthquake Services ‘ASBESTOS SURVEY’ P.O. Box 100-19, Phillipstown, Christchurch 8154
I authorise Earthquake Services to supply these Asbestos Contamination Details to the Canterbury District Health Board.
