Where is asbestos found and what does it look like?

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Asbestos fibres in building products for the home are either firmly ('non-friable') or loosely bound ('friable').

Materials containing firmly bound asbestos fibres include asbestos-cement products such as flat or corrugated products (fibro or AC sheeting), water or flue pipes, roof shingles, flexible building boards and imitation brick cladding. Other products containing firmly bound asbestos fibres include plaster patching compounds, textured paint, vinyl floor tiles and the backing of linoleum floor coverings.

Loosely-bound asbestos fibres may be found in older forms of insulation used in domestic heaters and stoves, and in ceiling insulation products. However, ceiling insulation products containing asbestos were more typically used in commercial buildings rather than homes.

Asbestos can also be found in car brake linings, clutch facings and gaskets.

Asbestos fibres are difficult to identify by eye. The only certain way to identify asbestos is to have a sample tested at a laboratory. National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) can recommend an analytical laboratory in your local area that is accredited to identify asbestos. This should be carried out before any maintenance or removal of asbestos is carried out.

National Association of Testing Authorities
Phone: (03) 9329 1633
www.nata.asn.au

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Reviewed: 10 August 2009

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Where is asbestos found and what does it look like?

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