![[INSERT IMAGE HERE]
Old houses usually give off the positive feeling of experiencing history.
These do not always lead to happy and healthy results, however. In fact,
recent studies reveal that old houses have paints that contain asbestos,
which is one of most dangerous substances in the world.
Asbestos: A Threat to Health
Asbestos is commonly found in home building materials, such as paint,
pipes, wall panels and roof sheeting. People used these materials since
the 1940s until the government banned them in the 1980s due to health
risks. Asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer are among the diseases
that asbestos can cause.
While asbestos does not usually cause direct harm, years of wear and tear
may cause it to deteriorate and turn to dust. These particles can be
dangerous upon inhalation. Worse, since fibres are nearly invisible, there
is almost no way of knowing the areas with asbestos content.](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
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The Trouble with Old Paint
- 1. The Trouble with Old Paint BARKER-WHITTLE MASTER PAINTERS & DECORATORS Address: 14 Brooksby Street, Melville WA 6156 Phone number: 08 9317 1573 E-mail: barkerw@bigpond.net.au
- 2. [INSERT IMAGE HERE] Old houses usually give off the positive feeling of experiencing history. These do not always lead to happy and healthy results, however. In fact, recent studies reveal that old houses have paints that contain asbestos, which is one of most dangerous substances in the world. Asbestos: A Threat to Health Asbestos is commonly found in home building materials, such as paint, pipes, wall panels and roof sheeting. People used these materials since the 1940s until the government banned them in the 1980s due to health risks. Asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer are among the diseases that asbestos can cause. While asbestos does not usually cause direct harm, years of wear and tear may cause it to deteriorate and turn to dust. These particles can be dangerous upon inhalation. Worse, since fibres are nearly invisible, there is almost no way of knowing the areas with asbestos content.
- 3. A study showed that Australia is one of the countries with a large number of asbestos-related deaths. Safe Work Australia’s report on Asbestos-related Disease Indicators revealed that 606 died from mesothelioma while 125 died from asbestosis in 2011 alone. Construction workers and people who perform home renovations are most vulnerable to asbestos-related diseases and deaths. Dealing with Asbestos Despite the ban of asbestos in construction materials, the threat of diseases persists especially for those who live in old houses. As such, the government set specific guidelines for handling asbestos-related products. People who plan to renovate should determine if their homes have asbestos through lab tests. The government recommends only licensed professionals should remove loosely bound asbestos. To prevent exposure, they should wear disposable hat gloves and respirators that comply with Australian/New Zealand Standard 1716. They should use hand tools and tear down walls and paints carefully to prevent asbestos fibres from spreading, as well. [INSERT IMAGE HERE]
- 4. In addition, the Environment Protection Authority encourages homeowners to wet, double wrap the asbestos material in heavy-duty builders’ plastic and seal it completely with the tape. They strongly suggest the use of modern, asbestos-free paints and other construction materials, as well. Home renovations without doing something about asbestos may put families at risk. It is important to know the proper handling of asbestos and take steps in preventing it from causing harm in the home. [INSERT IMAGE HERE] Sources: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pa ges/asbestos_in_the_home http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Public ations/Documents/850/Asbestos%20related%20disease%20i ndicators%202014.pdf http://www.barker-whittle.com.au/new-homes/interior- painting/