The Risk of Asbestos in Cyclone Clean-ups
Asbestos is the last thing homeowners are concerned about after their homes have been damaged in a cyclone or another severe weather event. Instead, they’re more worried about water-damaged materials and removing them in a timely fashion for replacement.
However, alongside the ever-present risk of mold and mildew from moisture, asbestos is another possible hazard that many homeowners might not be aware of.
Where Could Asbestos Be Found in a Cyclone-Damaged Home?
Wind, rain, and flooding can pose problems for homeowners of properties containing asbestos. Wind can lead to asbestos-containing materials (ACM) like roofs, fences, and walls breaking, while rain and flooding can damage cladding, floors, and walls, leading to friable asbestos.
In homes built before 2000, asbestos can be present in flat or corrugated sheets for walls, ceilings, and roofs and in wall and floor tiles. It might also be present in eaves, pipes, electrical conduits, and structures like garages and garden sheds.
If you live in a coastal area, it’s not uncommon for asbestos to be present in weekender-type buildings, particularly around external and internal walls and ceilings. Rural and regional properties might also have asbestos in fences and various sheds and outhouses.
Why Homeowners Are At Risk
When ACM is in good condition and left undisturbed, it poses minimal risk to homeowners and the general public. However, after a cyclone, homeowners might be more at risk when water and wind damage building materials.
Damage to asbestos-containing walls, flooring materials, roofs, and fences, might result in asbestos fibres being released into the air. Airborne asbestos fibres, when breathed in, can lead to asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, cancer, and asbestosis. While ACM is generally safer when wet, it can become more dangerous when the materials dry after bad weather has passed.
How to Manage Flood-Damaged Asbestos
Clean-up events after Cyclone Gabrielle and any storm event can be significant, with homeowners often relying on friends and family to help while waiting for professionals to assist. The golden rule of dealing with building materials and products that may contain asbestos is to treat them as if they do and take all necessary precautions.
It’s also important to contact your local council to see if there is an asbestos management plan in place for you to follow. You might then take the steps below.
Identify asbestos-containing materials with the help of a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist
Ensure electricity is turned off before starting work in areas where water might be present
Identify damage to potential ACM and keep them wet before professionals can clean, seal, or remove them
Take care when cleaning ACM to avoid potential damage that might make asbestos friable
Clean asbestos materials gently and by hand
Only remove small broken ACM from debris or structures
Separate damaged ACM from non-ACM materials
Wear PPE
Enlist the services of licensed asbestos removalists for testing and removal
While undertaking clean-up tasks potentially involving asbestos, never:
Break ACM
Walk on asbestos roofs
Use ordinary dusk masks – always use approved respirators for asbestos
Use abrasive cleaning products
Use water blasters or high-pressure cleaners on ACM
Use power tools or abrasive tools
Scrub ACM
Remove ACM yourself
Dispose of asbestos waste in council bins or bags for collection
Bury, burn, or dump ACM
When in doubt, refrain from removing any cyclone-damaged materials from your home. Instead, contact your local asbestos assessor for advice.
Asbestos Safety After Cyclone Gabrielle
Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand on February 6, 2023, and made its presence known until February 11. This severe tropical cyclone devastated the North Island and impacted some parts of Vanuatu and Australia.
Cyclone Gabrielle is believed to have caused $13.5 billion in damages in NZ and claimed the lives of 11 confirmed people. This made it the deadliest cyclone and weather event in NZ since Cyclone Giselle of 1968.
WorkSafe stated that when homes and buildings containing asbestos are damaged during such events, asbestos-containing materials can be eroded, broken, disturbed, or damaged, posing health risks.
They advised that if a damaged structure was presumed to be asbestos-containing, a licensed asbestos assessor or licensed asbestos removalist should be contacted before the occupants returned to the structure.
However, asbestos licence holders were also told that they could email their request for emergency work to WorkSafe with ‘Cyclone Gabrielle’ in the subject line for their work to be made a priority.
Rely On Licensed Asbestos Removalists for Cyclone-Damaged Homes
The risk of asbestos exposure in cyclone clean-ups can be high, with homeowners eager to get stuck in and return their homes to their former glory. If your home has been damaged during a storm, a cyclone, or another event, contact licensed asbestos removalists for advice on how to remedy the issue and keep yourself safe.