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Exploring the History of Asbestos-Related Disasters

Newcastle asbestos removal

By now, most people are well aware of how risky asbestos can be. But not all know about the large-scale disasters that error, negligence, and ignorance toward asbestos caused. Here, we will be discussing 2 major asbestos tragedies that are still claiming victims.

The Wittenoom Tragedy

West Australia’s Wittenoom town is now known as the ghost town that had only 3 people living in 2016. But in the ‘50s, it was the biggest town in Pilbara. After the discovery of blue asbestos in 1917 here, big mining functions were established in the ‘30s, which a sugar company CSR took over in 1948. If you believe the evidence, CSR was well aware of the risk that asbestos dust presented to the community. But the company did almost nothing to prevent the vulnerable and instead did activities that might have increased the exposure:

  • Making the mine workers stay in tents near the mill, around a kilometre away
  • Using open trucks to transport asbestos after processing to Port Samson
  • Improper ventilation in the mill and mine with visible particles of asbestos reduces the visibility
  • Employees offered no preventive gear apart from some respirators that were of no use

9/11

9/11 was a tragic event that terrified the world but the aftermath was much worse. The building rubble released the toxic dust after falling. Twin towers were built in the ‘70s using roughly 400 tonnes of asbestos for fireproofing, drywall, and insulation. In 2001, when the towers collapsed, it is assumed that almost 2000 tonnes of asbestos fibres were released into the air, making many get exposed.

Asbestos can be life-threatening if not treated right. So, you should always get in touch with professionals for asbestos removal in Newcastle.

Can You Detect Asbestos with Your Bare Eyes?

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A quick answer to the question is no. You can only see asbestos with a microscope because the fibres are very small. To find whether asbestos is present in your atmosphere or not, you should consider professional testing services. However, the following tips can help in a quick inspection.

Verify the Pattern of the Surface

Feel and check the material surface. While some materials come with a softer texture, spotting to find asbestos is not guaranteed. But dimples of the pattern or the surface can be a sign of asbestos presence.

Inspect the Interior Panels

If your floor tiles feel oily, this can be a sign of asbestos. Instead of the floor, the fibres can be present on the ceilings and walls. Since oily bonds with asphalt, be careful when checking decorative walls and vinyl tiles.

Investigate Exterior Joints

A building outer connects to an aluminium corridor through asbestos sheets. Small nails with no endpoints were used to hold these sheets. On the inside, wooden or plastic runners were used to hold the sheets. The design can be an indication that the structure was made with asbestos. Besides, the adhesives used to bond the 2 materials were also known to contain asbestos.

Inspect Construction Materials Outside

Roof tiles and roofs are the common places that contain asbestos. If they break, the fibres are released into the air. In addition, insulation uses asbestos placed in the cement of the building outer for the purpose.

So, if you see any such sign or even doubt the presence, you should call professionals for asbestos removal in Newcastle, NSW immediately.