Asbestos during and after a disaster
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre that was used in many building materials until the late 1980s, such as asbestos cement (fibro).
Asbestos is normally present in the air at extremely low levels. Nearly everyone is exposed to asbestos at these levels. This type of exposure carries very little risk of developing illness.
Building materials containing asbestos are still found in many Queensland houses. Most houses built before 1990 are likely to have asbestos in some building materials, such as wall and ceiling sheeting, eaves, and roofing.
Building materials containing asbestos are not made from 100 per cent asbestos. They are commonly 10–15 per cent and rarely more than 50 per cent.
Asbestos and fire-damaged buildings
Overall, asbestos in fire-damaged buildings typically presents a very low risk to public health.
Fire-damaged buildings containing asbestos have the potential to release tiny fibres into the air. However, air monitoring during and after fires has shown that very low levels of these fibres are generated. After the fire, levels of airborne asbestos return to the typically low levels that were present before the fire incident.
Asbestos fibres can sometimes become denatured (asbestos fibres lose their asbestos qualities) when exposed to high temperatures for a sufficient period. This means the the asbestos fibres no longer pose the same level of health risk.
Walking on-site or wind blowing over a site where building materials containing asbestos are present are unlikely to generate significant quantities of airborne asbestos. Large disturbances, such as during clean-up or demolition of the fire-damaged building, must be done safely to ensure the level of asbestos fibres in the air is kept very low. Demolition work would require an appropriately licenced asbestos removalist.
If asbestos-containing materials have been damaged on your property or you are uncertain, a licensed asbestos removalist should be used to perform the clean-up work.
For more information on Containment and disposal of asbestos contaminated dust and debris arising from fire damage buildings (PDF, 2.89MB).
Asbestos in a cyclone or severe weather
Material containing asbestos can be damaged during a cyclone or severe weather. Cleaning up asbestos after a disaster can be dangerous if this material is not handled safely.
If asbestos-containing materials have been damaged on your property or you are uncertain, a licensed asbestos removalist should be used to perform the clean-up work.
Protect yourself from asbestos
If you are visiting or cleaning a property, but not disposing of asbestos-containing-materials, you can minimise potential exposure to fibres by:
- wearing protective clothing including a P2 facemask, disposable overalls, and enclosed shoes
- keeping material wet when moving it
- not breaking or damaging material that contains asbestos
- not cleaning material that contains asbestos with a high-pressure washer. Asbestos-containing materials may be cleaned with a garden hose or by hand
- not using power tools on material that contains asbestos.
Who to contact for assistance
Ultimately, the owner of a building is responsible for ensuring any public health and safety issues arising from their property are managed. The local council and state government departments may oversee the owner’s actions to ensure that public health and safety is protected.
If you are concerned a disaster-affected building containing asbestos may not be structurally sound and could collapse, please contact your local council.
If you are concerned a homeowner is not taking precautions to stop asbestos getting into the air when cleaning up after a disaster, please contact your local council.
If you are concerned a business, contractor or tradesperson is not taking precautions to stop asbestos getting into the air when cleaning up after a disaster, please contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 1300 362 128.
If you are concerned about a significant building fire involving asbestos, please contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 1300 362 128.
Further information
- Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) at any time.
- Contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for your nearest Public Health Unit.
- Queensland Government https://www.asbestos.qld.gov.au/
- Contact your local council for information about how to dispose of asbestos.
Download the protect yourself from asbestos factsheet (PDF 680 kB).