Queensland Laboratory News Details
Asbestos in Schools
Added: 8 October, 2009Download the PDF
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral rock which is made up of mineral silicate fibres. These fibres belong to either the serpentine or amphibole mineral groups. The three main types of asbestos are –
Chrysotile “white” asbestos – belonging to the serpentine group
Crocidolite “blue” asbestos – belonging to the amphibole group
Amosite “brown” or “grey” asbestos – belonging to the amphibole group
Asbestos is known for its strength and resistance to chemicals and heat. These properties resulted in asbestos becoming a component of thousands of different products. The range of applications included reinforcing in asbestos-cement sheeting, as an insulator on pipes and in buildings and as a fire retardant in a variety of products and materials.
Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) was used in a variety of workplaces from the 1940s up until the early 1980s when the dangers to health inherent in exposure became more widely acknowledged.
Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is now used as a ‘catch-all’ term in the legislation and Codes of Practice. Asbestos Containing Material means any material, object, product or debris containing asbestos.
Why is asbestos a risk?
Inhalation of asbestos fibres has been linked to three respiratory diseases - asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Exposure may also relate to other cancers, however, there is no conclusive evidence to support these concerns. The three identified diseases are characterised by long latency periods, that is, 20-40 years from exposure to asbestos to the onset of disease.
Where might asbestos be located in a school?
Asbestos in its most dangerous forms has been removed from schools. However, there are still some asbestos containing materials present in many existing facilities. These materials represent a minimal risk if undisturbed.
Your school may still have ACM:
- insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts;- some ceiling tiles;
- vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles
- asbestos cement products (the most common asbestos material in schools)
ACM includes asbestos-cement sheeting, gutters, downpipes and ridge capping. Asbestos-cement sheeting can be flat (e.g. internal cladding) or corrugated (e.g. roof sheeting) and is often referred to as “fibro”. ACM was commonly used in the building industry between the 1940s and early 1980s.
Do schools know where asbestos materials are located at their school?
Q-Build (Department of Public Works) coordinate an Asbestos Program for all EQ schools. Schools where asbestos containing materials have been identified will have an asbestos register known as the Building Management Plan which identifies the location and type of asbestos containing material.
As part of the ongoing QBuild Asbestos Management Program, EQ’s Facilities Services Branch has been liaising with QBuild on practical ways to maintain the currency of the register of asbestos containing material in schools. In addition to the Schools’ Building Management Plan, QBuild has a central or master register. It is intended that this central register will be maintained as the prime data source. Processes will be developed to ensure that this register is updated as ACM is removed or on the disposal of buildings containing asbestos. School registers will also be updated with any change of circumstance.
Contact Queensland Laboratory for all asbestos related enquiries... 1300 138 366