Managing Asbestos Contamination Risks After a Natural Disaster

 
 

Most homeowners only need to worry about asbestos contamination when undertaking renovations or when they have damaged asbestos-containing building materials. Unfortunately, that’s not the only time asbestos contamination rears its ugly head. We may also need to worry about it during natural disasters.

Floods, storms, landslides, earthquakes, and other devastating disasters can present unique challenges for homeowners and communities. Not only are you reeling after the loss or damage of your home, but you may also be faced with the genuine reality that what’s left of your property is a health risk.

Fortunately, knowledge is power when it comes to asbestos. You can learn about managing asbestos contamination risks after a natural disaster below.  

Why Is Asbestos Hazardous After a Natural Disaster?

Asbestos can become hazardous after a natural disaster because it has been disturbed. As we know, asbestos-containing materials are not a risk to homeowners when they’re in good condition. The asbestos becomes friable when those materials are disturbed, damaged, burnt, cracked, or broken in a devastating natural event. Friable means that the fibres within the materials are released into the air.

Once in the air, those tiny asbestos fibres can be breathed in, settling in our lungs. Asbestos exposure can ultimately result in related illnesses like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and cancer. Every year, 220 New Zealanders lose their lives to asbestos-related diseases.

Who’s At Risk of Asbestos Exposure After a Natural Disaster?  

Anyone can be at risk of asbestos exposure after a natural disaster. However, those responding to the disaster are often more so. Emergency responders and early response volunteers can be the most vulnerable due to their closeness to asbestos-containing debris.

However, asbestos exposure isn’t something that will affect those people right away. Instead, the effects of exposure can present in the decades after. Many asbestos-related diseases have a latency period of 10 to 40 years. It’s worth noting that not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop a related illness.

How to Manage Asbestos Contamination After a Natural Disaster

There is simply no way to avoid coming into contact with asbestos when you’re involved in the disaster response of a natural disaster. Many homes in Aotearoa New Zealand are built with asbestos-containing materials. Exposure is also the farthest thing from your mind when you’re in life-saving and property-preserving mode.

However, being around asbestos-containing materials doesn’t mean you can’t prevent an exposure event. First responders can take a number of measures to keep themselves and others safe:

Bring in Asbestos Removal Experts

First responders and members of the general public should never attempt to move asbestos-containing materials on their own unless there’s an immediate risk to life. If they must be moved, ensure all materials are wet to reduce the risk of asbestos fibres becoming airborne.

Wear Appropriate PPE

Those responsible for managing asbestos after a natural disaster must wear appropriate PPE to keep themselves safe. Non-friable asbestos can require the use of a respirator with a P2 filter, while licensed asbestos work involving friable asbestos calls for a respirator with a P3 filter. Along with respirators, coveralls, gloves, and boot covers can also be important.

Double-Bag All Asbestos-Contaminated Debris

A large-scale natural disaster will see asbestos-contaminated building materials scattered everywhere. While tempting to discard it at a landfill facility with regular debris, asbestos must be disposed of safely at an approved site.

Small amounts of debris can be double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene bags, while larger asbestos waste can be sealed in drums or transported in a skip or truck with plastic sheeting. Asbestos debris must be kept wet to reduce the risk of small fibres being released into the air.

Be Aware Of What Could Contain Asbestos

A significant part of managing asbestos contamination risks after a natural disaster involves understanding what to look for. Asbestos-containing materials aren’t typically labelled with any warning or hazard signs.

Testing is the best and most effective way to confirm the presence of asbestos. Asbestos testing is a straightforward and fast process that can be worth undertaking before demolition works of damaged property get underway.

However, you can also take a more cautious approach and treat any property built in the late 1930s until the 1990s as if it contained asbestos. It can be found in a number of building materials, such as:

  • Fibrolite and Hardiplank cladding

  • Corrugated cement roofing

  • Fibrolite eaves

  • Textured/popcorn ceilings

  • Wall linings

  • Vinyl flooring

  • Decorative ceilings

  • Oil and coal furnaces

  • Textured paint

  • Patching compounds

  • Hot water and steam pipes 

Be Informed to Be Prepared

We can only hope that we’re never in a position to have to worry about asbestos exposure after a natural disaster. However, there’s nothing wrong with being prepared. Understanding who should take care of asbestos-containing materials and what to look for might reduce the risk of exposure for you, your loved ones, and your community.

Karan Kikani