Understanding Why Asbestos Was Commonly Used
Understanding asbestos and why it was popular can help you find it in your own home. Asbestos use rose in popularity in the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution and respiratory conditions from asbestos were documented in the late 1800s. Despite the negative health effects being relatively well-known, it was not until the beginning in the 1980s that illness from asbestos became a serious concern. It was only in 2003 that an Australia-wide ban on asbestos-containing materials took place.
By now it is common knowledge asbestos exposure is dangerous for your health. If the health risks of asbestos have been known for years, why was it such a popular construction material for so long? Understanding why asbestos was commonly used can help you be aware of what materials may contain it. Many areas of your home may contain asbestos and asbestos removal services Melbourne can help remove it from your home.
1. Fire Resistant
Unlike many other materials, asbestos does not evaporate or melt when it is heated. Because of its ability to withstand high temperatures, it is a very good fire-retardant. This makes it very useful in clothing (such as firefighter suits), as insulation, and in construction materials. Building materials are woven with asbestos, such as roofing shingles and concrete, were considered a safe way to build homes. It could be added to steel and other building materials to prevent them from buckling during a fire. It’s the ability to withstand heat made it an incredibly popular material.
The 1940s: Firefighter suits lined with asbestos
2. Strong & Flexible
Asbestos is a strong, yet flexible, material that is easily woven into other materials. Its durability and softness made it an incredibly versatile product. It could be incorporated into literally thousands of different products. For this reason, it was mixed with other textiles and materials to make them both stronger and fire-resistant.
3. Cost-effective
Asbestos was a cheap and cost-effective solution to the issues above. It wasn’t just used for building materials either – it was also used for insulating household appliances such as toasters, irons, and heaters. Between its cost, strength and fire resistance, companies found more and more ways to use it. Therefore, it became an increasingly popular material in the 1900s.
Vintage toaster lined with asbestos
Asbestos is a cheap, flexible and fire-resistant material, allowing it to be incredibly versatile. It’s no wonder it was popular for so many years. Unfortunately, its popularity has exposed many people to the health risks associated with it.
Understanding asbestos and knowing why it was widely used can help you understand how many products could contain it. If you cannot see asbestos in your home, it does not mean it isn’t there. Asbestos removal services Melbourne can help you identify and safely remove asbestos in your home.
At A&B Asrem, we provide professional asbestos removal services in Melbourne and its surrounding areas such as McKinnon, Bentleigh, Caulfield and Carnegie. At A&B Asrem we are fully licensed and are able to conduct asbestos testing, inspection and removal in a safe and timely manner. Asbestos is a highly dangerous material, so contact us today if you even suspect that you may have asbestos in your home. Call 0452 197 041 for an appointment.
