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Loose-Fill Asbestos Free Sample Testing @ Department of Fair Trading (NSW)

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Your home may be the biggest investment you'll ever make. But if it was built before the 1980s, it could be affected by hazardous loose-fill asbestos insulation. Loose-fill asbestos is raw crushed asbestos, which in the 1960s and 70s, was installed as insulation.

Over time hazardous airborne fibres can move from the ceiling into your living space.

If your home contains loose-fill asbestos insulation, its value in the market will be affected.

It is critical that homeowners act on this now as the NSW Government is considering options to protect the community from unknowingly purchasing a property that contains loose-fill asbestos. Options being considered include:

  • when selling a property, you would be obliged to confirm in the contract of sale if the property contains or is free of loose-fill asbestos; and
  • a prescribed warning notice would be included in all contracts of sale to alert potential buyers of the risk of loose-fill asbestos in pre-1980s homes.

Free home testing is currently available to owners of residential properties in the 28 identified NSW local government areas, where the home was constructed prior to 1980.

If you are the homeowner, and your property fits into the above categories, you may register for free sample testing. Please complete this form and click the 'Submit' button.

Within 24 hours of submitting your registration, you will receive an email with more information about the process. If you do not have an email address, a member of our team will contact you within 25 working days.

If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

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closed Comments

  • Had my place tested.. They took some samples… Came back clear. Reasonably fast too.

    • Is it a container they send you and then send back? Or does someone come to your place to inspect, collect etc?

      • +1

        No… some contracter comes.. goes into your roof and takes some samples.

        Its a free service… got nothing to lose .. except your home lol. They will initially confirm if your house meets the criteria and goes from there.

        • +1

          Worst case scenario if they find your property riddled with asbestos would it be a hindrance when trying to do any renovation / DA approvals/ sell I guess as you are flagged in the system ?

        • @mangew: there's 2 options.. the gov can buy the house of you or they will pay to have it demolished … then u gotta pay to build a new house.

          My house came up all clear so nothing for me to do.

        • @hippyhippy:

          easy way to buy a old house and get it demolished for free

  • -7

    Just stick your head in the man hole, take a big deep breath. If you're still kicking goals in 40 years time then the test is clear.

    • +2

      you do know that Asbestos is not a thing to joke about.

      Many people have lung problems because of it.

      • -7

        you do know that Asbestos is not a thing to joke about.

        We've all been exposed to it but most will not develop problems.

        Many people have lung problems because of it.

        You can say the same about cigarettes, coal power plants and pollution to name a few that kill far more people each year but little is said about these killers.

        The government is responsible for the asbestos issue as they allowed it to be installed despite knowing the problems and there being safe alternatives.

        • +2

          We've all been exposed to it but most will not develop problems

          Thats if the asbestos is not damaged.
          If its damaged and there's loose asbestos fibres, your lungs aren't going to do very well.

        • @cwongtech:

          If its damaged and there's loose asbestos fibres, your lungs aren't going to do very well.

          Utter bollocks, there are plenty of people who worked in asbestos mines and never contacted asbestosis and plenty of people who never touched asbestos but contracted asbestosis. The crap is everywhere and you can be exposed walking near a building site, an asbestos fence or sitting in your backyard.

          Cars often had asbestos brakes up until the mid 90's and the apprentice would dust the brakes with compressed air.

          This stuff is everywhere, everyone has been exposed and some will develop asbestosis.

          But stick your head in the sand and believe what you like and what the government wants you to believe.

        • +3

          @Maverick-au:
          Asbestos is no joking matter. It is a primary carcinogen and and it is a good idea to have an understanding of the facts before speaking about it.

          There is no safe level of asbestos exposure only "safer". Any fibre you ingest could be the one that sets of a chain reaction leading to mesothelioma.
          It accumulates in the body and should be avoided at all times. That means the fibres gets stuck in your lungs and stay there. Yes, we were extremely stupid with its liberal use years ago but the only smart thing to do now is avoid it as much as possible.
          Just about every house in Australia built before 1987 has some level of asbestos. It was banned as a building material after that date and since 2003 all asbestos products were banned throughout Australia - that is because it is deadly. Everyone knows a story about somebody's old Granny or Uncle that lived until they were 90- whatever and worked asbestos and smoked two packs a day and was "fine" but that is not the overall trend.
          It is a simple case of more exposure = higher risk.
          Learn more here:
          https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/asbestos-information

        • @cwongtech: There are types of asbestos that don't give off fibres unless disturbed (non-friable), but those ones are hard types. The deal above is for loose fill asbestos (friable), so your comment seems a bit off the mark. Loose fill asbestos is already loose. The government has decided that there's a benefit from taxpayer supported testing, and I think that it's because this friable asbestos is most dangerous.

  • +4

    Here I was hoping for some free asbestos and I find out it's just a lousy test? How long do i have to wait for a decent special on asbestos?

    • Probably a long time it would emphySEEMa.

  • +2

    Crazy fact:
    The "snow" that falls down on Dorothy and the animals in the Wizard Of Oz poppy fields scene is pure loose white asbestos being thrown by gaffers on the movie set. It resembles snow very well.

  • +1

    Worth adding the list of LGAs that can avail themselves to this offer: http://fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Tenants_and_home_owners/Lo…? There is also a further 35 LGAs that have a limit of 100 free tests. Link on page.

  • -1

    Read as "Loose-Fill Asbestos Free Sample"
    Got to say i'm a little disappointed that i'm not going to be getting some sort of sample. Can't say i'd really want a sample of asbestos though…

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