Asbestos

[Niximus]

So I'm renovating my laundry (and eventually my bathroom).

My house was built in 1988 and so there is a chance that there could be asbestos around. The laundry being a prime candidate if there is.

I have sent off a sample of the fibre cement sheeting that was used for the walls to a lab to be tested.

Reading up on it, those sheets were my only real concern for that room as there wasn't any of the other things typically mentioned as asbestos sources.

While waiting for the results, I have been reading trying to determine the probability (which I think is low as everything seems to say that that type of sheeting ceased containing asbestos in the early 80's). During this I have found a couple of small references to it being used in mortar, which I hadn't seen mentioned any previously and hadn't occurred to me at all.

As I have already ripped up the tiles on the floor, and there was a fair bit of a leveling compound that had been used to slope the floors to the drain, I looked more into this.
Again, I think the chances of this mortar containing asbestos is low, as the only sources I can find mentioning asbestos containing mortar have it ceasing production in the 70's.

That said, I hadn't included a sample of the mortar for testing. Does anyone in the industry know if it is at all possible/likely that the mortar contains asbestos? Would it be something you'd typically test in a 1988 built house?

 

[Engimal]

Asbestos is the best-os.

 

[True__Believer]

Highly unlikely that there is any in the mortar. Asbestos was utilised mainly for its strength/heat resistance. To be safe i would use a mask and be careful when handling the mortar.

 

[Niximus]

Highly unlikely that there is any in the mortar. Asbestos was utilised mainly for its strength/heat resistance. To be safe i would use a mask and be careful when handling the mortar.

Well it's too late, as that bit is already done (and with a reasonable amount of dust too) After looking for the usual fibre cement, insulation, vinyl floor etc the walls were my only concern and nothing had really mentioned the mortar, so it didn't even occur to me.

That said, I agree that it is highly unlikely to be in the mortar. I have kept searching and can still only find references to it being a pre-80's thing, and even then it seems to be mortar used in brick walls.

 

[True__Believer]

^ I agree.
One possible exposure to asbestos does not automatically mean you will get asbestosis either. Every individual has a different reaction. There would be many people who were exposed to high levels and never show any symptoms, whilst on the flip side there are some people, such as the wives of asbestos workers, who succumbed just by washing their husbands clothes. I guess its a bit like the 50 a day smoker for 50 years who is fine v a passive smoker who develops lung cancer.

 

[little graham]

Asbestos is the best-os.

Green is nice.

 

[Slax]

You'll be fine with the mortar as that was well and truely out of production by the 80s. Considering that the house was built in 1988 it is also doubtful that asbestos would be present as it was effectively phased out by the mid-80s, but as you've sent a sample off for testing best to wait until the results come back.

 

[EagleMan87]

More asbestos! More asbestos! More asbestos!

 

[SaintsSeptember]

IIRC the only thing that could be still around in the 80s is the white stuff, even then whilst now banned and still should be handled with care it's risk is minuscule compared to the highly dangerous brown and infamous blue that's the serious concern from pre 1970s.

I wouldn't worry at all.

Yeah still a slight risk, but nothing compared to what they used to see. There used to be power station workers who would spray it ( probably blue )onto pipes in fibre form, and stuff around with it ( ie spray it on each other ) and so on.
My father in law died in his early 60s from a large number of tumours. No-one wanted a post mortem, but I strongly suspect they stemmed from his exposure to asbestos when he worked in power stations from apprenticeship days on.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Isn't it only dangerous if you work around it for 20+ years ?

 

[Niximus]

From what I read it seems like it is a risk calculation.

Any exposure caries an element of risk and you could develop problems from even a small exposure. That said, the chance that you will is quite low.

Increase in exposure = increase in risk.

Apparently we're all exposed to asbestos fibers on pretty much a daily basis.

 

[Gough]

It's perfectly safe stuff, just ask Julie Bishop.

 

[Mancey]

Always always always wear a mask when doing renovations on pre 1990's houses, no matter what job you are doing. Asbestos was such a ubiquitous material, it was used in materials you have never even thought of. Although the risk in houses built in the late 80's is certainly lower than that of ones that pre-date 1980, the risk is still there as there are many instances of old materials being used or reused by unscrupulous operators when regulation was pretty piss poor.

There has basically been 2 waves in mesothelioma cases, the first was mine workers, the second was trademen in industry that worked with asbestos materials. Recently theres been indications of a third wave, mostly attributable to the increase in home reno's.

There's not only asbestos, lead containing paints were still in circulation into the early 90's. The mortar dust you speak of may not contain asbestos, but it sure as shit contains silica, which is not something you want to be breathing.

Be wary, Paper masks are super cheap and greatly decrease your risk.

Look, you aren't gonna die but I would definitely use the mask going forward

I'm shit scared of getting malignant mesothelioma. I grew up in an asbestos house that had extensive renos performed on it and used to play with the scrap asbestos. I get a chest xray every 2 years as I work in the mining industry, so at least that might catch it early if it does develop.

Your friendly Environmental health/Occupational hygienist.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

I installed a kitchen late last year. the back wall of the room was Asbestos. Cut into it with a multi tool. small amount of dust from it come out so I probably breathed it in. the thing was the owner only put gyprock over it. they never took it out.....

 

[Mancey]

Often that's the best way to go mate and has been done in many old places I imagine. If its not deteriorated its quite safe, often its best just to seal it up.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I installed a kitchen late last year. the back wall of the room was Asbestos. Cut into it with a multi tool. small amount of dust from it come out so I probably breathed it in. the thing was the owner only put gyprock over it. they never took it out.....

I don't think there is a problem with leaving it there. Probably less dangerous than disturbing it.
But I guess ( like you experience ) small actions like drilling and cutting can cause a hazard, so a certain amount of awareness is good.

 

[Niximus]

Always always always wear a mask when doing renovations on pre 1990's houses, no matter what job you are doing. Asbestos was such a ubiquitous material, it was used in materials you have never even thought of. Although the risk in houses built in the late 80's is certainly lower than that of ones that pre-date 1980, the risk is still there as there are many instances of old materials being used or reused by unscrupulous operators when regulation was pretty piss poor.

There has basically been 2 waves in mesothelioma cases, the first was mine workers, the second was trademen in industry that worked with asbestos materials. Recently theres been indications of a third wave, mostly attributable to the increase in home reno's.

There's not only asbestos, lead containing paints were still in circulation into the early 90's. The mortar dust you speak of may not contain asbestos, but it sure as shit contains silica, which is not something you want to be breathing.

Be wary, Paper masks are super cheap and greatly decrease your risk.

I had a regular face mask with the mortar, which obviously is useless in the case of asbestos though, it did the job for the mortar though.

 

[Mancey]

While the cheapy disposable paper jobbies are pretty crap its a 100 times better than not wearing anything.

Get a box of the double strap p2 disposables with the little valve in the front. Much more comfortable than the crap cheapies and it'll protect you against most things. Still cheap tbh

 

[Niximus]

Just got the call about the test and the wall doesn't contain asbestos which makes my life easier.