Home Buyer? A Building Inspection DOES NOT Include a Check for Asbestos!

Being aware of the likelihood of asbestos in a home is the first step in reducing the impact of the next wave of asbestos-related diseases.  A study recently carried out by the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) highlights the lack of knowledge on who is responsible for identifying the presence of asbestos presence.  Surprisingly 63 per cent of respondents falsely believing that a residential building inspection includes a check for asbestos.

Asbestos Inspection

Asbestos can’t be correctly identified visually. Samples of suspected materials need laboratory testing to confirm the presence of Asbestos.  Australia was one of the highest users per capita of asbestos until the 1980s, with one-third of all homes built or renovated before this time containing asbestos material.

Simple DIY tasks such as pulling up old linoleum or vinyl flooring or removing bathroom tiles can expose the home renovator to asbestos. The product can also be found in roof sheeting, guttering, fencing, carports, sheds and even in putty.

Improving Asbestos Awareness

In the hope of improving awareness of asbestos - particularly for DIY renovators, the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) called for mandatory disclosure of asbestos in a home or building site. The body is also aiming to inform real estate agents on the issue and their duty of care to clients via proposing a series of asbestos information evenings.

ASEA’s chief executive Peter Tighe​ said if you’re buying an old house you’re more than likely to have issues with asbestos in some form.  “We don’t want to create panic but there is need for more information.”

Asbestos Regulation Reform

The Masters Builders’ Association are also calling for action on the issue. Their National Asbestos Management Control and Removal Policy 2015 calls for reforms to the regulation of asbestos to better protect the safety of those working in the industry, owner builders, DIY renovators and the community.  One of these reforms is increased funding for Asbestos education and Asbestos training for DIY renovators.

Asbestos Assessors and NATA testing

Regional Enviroscience are experts in identifying and dealing with asbestos and other hazardous materials to safeguard the health and safety of the community.  With a team of licensed asbestos assessors based in regional NSW, Enviroscience completes Asbestos Inspections, Asbestos building registers (location and type of hazardous materials) and managing the risk of asbestos materials in any building.

Regional Enviroscience also provides asbestos awareness training for employees working with asbestos.  This includes both in buildings/man made products or the relatively unknown naturally occurring asbestos that is quite common in Central NSW, which is mainly disturbed during roadworks, construction and major earthworks.

Juliet Duffy holds a Master of Sustainable Management from Sydney University, is a Licensed Asbestos Assessor and has been managing environmental health issues since 1988. Juliet is Director of Regional Enviroscience – a NATA Accredited asbestos & hazardous materials laboratory and occupational health consultancy based in regional NSW – Orana (Dubbo) North West (Tamworth), Hunter Valley (Maitland), Central NSW (Orange & Bathurst) and the Riverina (Wagga).