What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous form of mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine or amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals, including actinolite, amosite (brown asbestos), anthophyllite, crocidolite (blue asbestos), chrysotile (white asbestos) and tremolite or any combination of these.

There are two main forms of asbestos, friable and non-fiable.

Asbestos has been used in a wide number of products due to its excellent thermal, acoustic and mechanical properties.

Until the late 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in asbestos cement sheeting (fibro), some vinyl floor coverings, soundproofing or decorative material, drainage and flue pipes, roofing, guttering and flexible building boards and so is found in many public buildings, schools and houses.

Similar cement sheeting products are used today, but are now asbestos free.

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