Asbestos Awareness Week: What you need to know

October 11, 2024

Asbestos Awareness Week is next month. Here are some important asbestos facts, tips on minimising your risk, and who to call if you need asbestos removal!

Asbestos Awareness Week is held during the third week of November, and is a time to highlight the dangers of asbestos, remind Kiwis how prevalent it is throughout our homes and workplaces, and encourage property owners and PCBUs to take steps to find out more about their risk – and potentially even arrange for expert asbestos removal.

Asbestos facts in New Zealand

How much do you know about asbestos in New Zealand? Here are some quick facts to highlight just how prevalent it is throughout the country, and how dangerous it is to everyday Kiwis (not just those who work in the construction industry or trades).

Any building built or renovated before the year 2000 could potentially contain asbestos
There is still some risk (albeit lower!) of asbestos in buildings built in the early 2000s
Asbestos was historically used in approximately 3,000 building products and materials
You can find asbestos underground, in landfill, or in soil
An estimated 170 Kiwis die every year from asbestos-related diseases
WorkSafe currently has a target of reducing asbestos-related disease by 50% by 2040
Asbestos related diseases typically take 20-60 years to develop
There has been a surge in cases due to the popularity of home DIY jobs
Existing asbestos in NZ homes is deteriorating due to its age, making it more dangerous

How you can minimise your asbestos risk

There are numerous ways you can minimise your risk, both in your own home and in everyday life.

For starters, look into the history of your home. When was it built? Has it ever been tested for asbestos? These questions should give you an indication of the likelihood of there being asbestos in your home.

Of course, do not undertake any DIY in your pre-2000s home (or even for a friend) without getting an expert asbestos test first. You have no way of knowing if a wall you are cutting into, or if the ceiling you are replacing, contains asbestos. The only way to tell is with a test.

Even if you are not carrying out work on your property, or if you know your property was built when asbestos was no longer used, it still pays to be careful. For example, if an older building nearby is undergoing renovations, you can shut your windows and doors on windy days to avoid any potential asbestos dust from entering your home.

The best way to have complete peace of mind is to have your home tested for asbestos, then employ a professional asbestos removal service such as PRO Environmental Services if needed.

Expert Asbestos Removal

PRO Environmental Services offers professional asbestos removal from both residential and commercial properties all across the greater Wellington region, as well as the Waikato, Gisborne, Marlborough, and other areas.

We are certified as a Class A removalist, which means that we can safely remove both Class A (friable) and Class B (non-friable) asbestos. That makes us a great option as you can rest assured we will be able to get the job done no matter what kind of asbestos is on your property.

We frequently work with businesses, and know that organisations cannot afford to be shut down for long during the project. We will therefore work with you to try to minimise business disruption as much as possible, and get the site cleared and ready for use as soon as it is safe to do so.