The use of asbestos has a long history in New Zealand. It was once hailed as a ‘miracle mineral’, finding a place in everything from construction to automobile manufacturing. But what happens when we discover that a material so widely used can actually have some devastating impacts on human health?
That’s the story of asbestos. This blog will explore the rise, use, and eventual phase-out of asbestos in New Zealand. We’ll even cover the fundamentals of asbestos identification, and why it’s so vital to keep your eyes peeled for this dangerous material.
How Asbestos Became Popular in New Zealand
Back in the late 1930s, the first loads of unprocessed asbestos were being imported to Kiwi shores. Once there, New Zealand construction workers and manufacturers would incorporate the raw form of the material into a variety of things, including concrete, to create what we know today as ‘asbestos-containing materials’, or ‘ACMs’.
This practice spread far and wide, especially across other countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States. For forty years, the versatile qualities that made asbestos so ideal for use in construction meant that it spread unchecked into many different industries.
Asbestos was prized for its fire resistance, its versatility, its affordability, and even its ability to insulate both heat and sound. It was easy to incorporate into other materials to transform them into flame-resistant versions of themselves, and the lightweight nature of the material made it easy to transport in large quantities.
These qualities made asbestos a particularly exciting addition to the construction industry at the time, ending up in everything from the roofing to insulation to pipes and water tanks in homes, schools, and commercial buildings.
That is, until the 1980s when the dangers of asbestos finally emerged.
The Dangers of Widespread Asbestos Use
Around the middle of the 20th century, alarming medical research began emerging. The studies linked asbestos exposure to a variety of severe health risks, especially in those who were working with ACMs. Interestingly, these issues would only appear up to a decade after exposure, which made it initially quite difficult to pinpoint the cause.
The primary issues observed were:
- Asbestosis – a chronic lung condition caused by inhaling loose asbestos fibres in the air.
- Lung cancer – a sharp increase in lung cancer rates in individuals exposed to asbestos.
- Mesothelioma – a rare, aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lung, generally linked exclusively to asbestos exposure.
Though the dangers of asbestos started to enter public awareness in the 1960s, it took a further twenty years for the eventual ban. This meant that workers across the many industries using this toxic material were unknowingly exposed for a very long time.
The Eventual Asbestos Ban
By the late 1980s, pressure was mounting for New Zealand to phase out asbestos use altogether. The New Zealand Government gradually tightened regulations around asbestos and created protocols for asbestos identification, limiting its application in new products. However, it wasn’t until 2016 that a full ban on importing ACMs was enacted under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations.
These regulations outlined fines and punishments for the import and use of asbestos-containing materials, as well as a full schedule of protocols for asbestos identification. Though this was a vital step, it came too late to stop the spread of asbestos completely. That’s why, even today, it’s important to be wary.
Asbestos Identification Today
Despite the ban on asbestos imports today, many older buildings in New Zealand still contain asbestos materials. They’re especially present in roofing, insulation, and wall cladding. While these materials can sit dormant for a long time, the moment they begin to degrade, they can present a major health risk for anyone living or working on the property. When the materials break down, the asbestos fibres are released, creating a major risk to people nearby if they inhale the fibres.
This also goes for renovations, as homeowners or business owners updating old homes must be sure that they are not working on asbestos-containing materials. This is where asbestos identification comes in. It’s the best precaution prior to demolitions or renovations.
It’s been a long journey from the 1930s, when asbestos was seen as the ‘wonder material’. The material’s deadly consequences have rippled through the ages, and one thing is for sure: they can still impact us today. Increased awareness and regulations are helping to create a safer future for Kiwis, so if you suspect there is asbestos in your home or workplace, always seek professional advice. Safety comes first.
Talk to the experts at Consultex Labs about asbestos identification in your home or business.
Our IANZ-accredited asbestos identification laboratory allows our qualified technicians to process bulk or air samples, turning results around in as little as 24 hours.
Concerned you might be working or living around asbestos? Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.