Asbestos fibres are forms of silicates which belong to the serpentine and amphibole groups of minerals. They became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century, because of their sound absorption, tensile strength, resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage and affordability.
It is used in the manufacture of a vast array of materials used in the construction industry and a wide range of products such as heat resistant textiles, textured coatings, asbestos cement products (cladding and pipework), thermal insulation, brake and clutch linings, gaskets, floor tiles and packing materials.
Asbestos fibres enter the body by inhalation of airborne particles or by ingestion and can become embedded in the tissues of the respiratory or digestive systems. Years of exposure to asbestos can cause numerous disabling or fatal diseases. Among these diseases are Asbestosis (an emphysema condition), Lung Cancer (or Mesothelioma) and Gastrointestinal Cancer.
Regulations which prohibited the use of asbestos in materials came into effect in New Zealand in 1983 and the current 'Guidelines for the Management and Removal of Asbestos' - March 2010, the long term goal is for the complete removal of asbestos from all products. The need to positively establish the presence of Asbestos Materials in a workplace or domestic environment is essential before one can create an acceptable management procedure that will deal with the hazard.
From building materials to contaminated soils, Dowdell & Associates Ltd are able to efficiently analyse these samples for asbestos and provide an accurate, concise I.A.N.Z. endorsed report.