If you think you have discovered asbestos while digging in your garden, do not disturb it. As you probably know, asbestos is deadly when breathed in. In fact, asbestos claims the lives of over 4,000 Australians per year. But don't worry. As long as you haven't breathed in any asbestos fibres, you are not at risk.
But if there is asbestos in your soil, cease all gardening activities until you have removed the material. If you aren't sure, then carry out the following actions.
Leave the Material Undisturbed
In the past, builders and contractors used building materials such as corrugated roofing, tiles and wall cladding that contained asbestos. In this state, asbestos is non-friable. This means that the tiny hair-like particles are not airborne, so there is no danger that you might breathe them in. But that doesn't mean you are free of danger.
If the materials have been laid under the soil for an extended period, some of them could have rotted away, leaving friable asbestos behind. Friable asbestos crumbles at the slightest touch. This is why you should leave asbestos undisturbed.
Have an Asbestos Surveyor Examine the Area
Although asbestos doesn't poison soil or groundwater in the same way that a chemical spillage would, if it crumbles whilst in the soil, then that soil will be classed as contaminated. In fact, your soil will be classed as contaminated until you hire someone to remove the asbestos completely. This could prevent you from carrying out renovations or from selling your home in future.
To be sure that you are dealing with asbestos, hire an asbestos surveyor. They'll go to your home and confirm if the material in your soil is indeed asbestos. If the material is asbestos, they might be able to recommend an asbestos removal company.
Hire an Asbestos Removal Company
As already mentioned, since your soil will be classified as contaminated until the asbestos is removed, you won't be able to use it. If you wish to sell your home, do some landscaping, gardening or even just use your garden as a place of relaxation, you'll need to remove the asbestos. Otherwise, you'll be putting yourself at risk.
An asbestos removals team can remove whole and broken pieces of asbestos from an area safely. With your garden free of asbestos, you'll be able to use it as you did before, and your soil will no longer be classified as contaminated.
For more information, reach out to a professional who provides asbestos disposal.
