Why Asbestos Is Still Dangerous in Australia Decades After the Ban

Asbestos removal in Brisbane is still a major concern because asbestos continues to endanger families and properties across Queensland, from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, even decades after it was banned. Worried about asbestos in your home and the health and safety risks that come with it? Contact us today and get a free quote. Our team at ICON Asbestos Removal in Brisbane can help by providing a professional asbestos removal service that protects your health, ensures compliance, guarantees safety, and delivers peace of mind without unnecessary costs or disruption.

How Asbestos Exposure Causes Long-Term and Fatal Diseases

Asbestosis

Asbestos was widely used in building materials such as roofing, wall cladding, insulation, and flooring because it was strong, affordable, and fire-resistant. However, when these materials are cut, drilled, removed, or damaged during a renovation or demolition job, asbestos fibres are released in your property.

Once inhaled, asbestos fibres embed in the lungs and cannot be expelled. Over time, this leads to fatal diseases such as:

  • Mesothelioma – a cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure.

  • Asbestosis – lung scarring that makes breathing increasingly difficult.

  • Lung cancer – strongly linked to asbestos exposure, especially in smokers.

  • Pleural plaques and pleural thickening – painful conditions that restrict lung capacity.

The latency period can be as long as 20–50 years, meaning exposure today can lead to disease decades later. That is why professional asbestos removal services with a licensed asbestos removal team remains essential for all Brisbane homeowners and businesses.

Asbestos-Related Diseases: Symptoms and Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

People often fail to identify asbestos exposure until symptoms appear. These can include:

  • Chronic dry cough and wheezing

  • Shortness of breath during normal activity

  • Chest pain and tightness

  • Fatigue and unexplained weight loss

Because asbestos-related illnesses can remain dormant for decades, early medical advice is critical. A professional asbestos assessment and testing service of building materials is the safest way to protect your property, yourself, and your family.

Who Is Most at Risk of Asbestos Exposure Today?

Despite Australia's 2003 total ban, asbestos still lurks in many residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Those most at risk include:

  • 1

    Homeowners renovating older houses, particularly pre-1990 construction, across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

  • 2

    Contractors and tradespeople who disturb bonded or friable asbestos during routine work.

  • 3

    Industrial workers in factories, warehouses, and workshops where asbestos was historically used for fireproofing.

  • 4

    Families in southeast Queensland living near contaminated soil, demolition sites, or living in properties with older roofing.

Because asbestos is a hazardous material, it is critical to only contact and use a licensed asbestos removal company with public liability insurance. A qualified team is equipped to handle the process safely, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

If you're in Brisbane and concerned about asbestos in roofing, older homes, or even near demolition sites, trust the ICON Asbestos Removal team. Our licensed services focus on safety and compliance, ensuring every job is handled professionally. Contact us today to get a quote on our asbestos removal services.

Where Asbestos Still Lurks in Australian Homes and Workplaces

Asbestos testing & analysis

Asbestos was widely used in construction across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and throughout Queensland. It is still found in:

  • Roofing and re-roofing sheeting, gutters, and eaves

  • Walls, ceilings, and cladding

  • Vinyl flooring and adhesives

  • Insulation and ceiling cavities

  • Contaminated soil at demolition sites

Homes built before 1987 are especially likely to contain asbestos. A professional asbestos removalist team can provide a detailed inspection and identification of these materials.

Types of Asbestos in Australia and Why None Are Safe

Three main types of asbestos were used in Australia:

  • 1

    Chrysotile (white) – used in ceilings, insulation, and roofing.

  • 2

    Amosite (brown) – used in wall panels, flooring, and cladding.

  • 3

    Crocidolite (blue) – the most dangerous, used in insulation and fireproof materials.

Bonded asbestos, also called non-friable asbestos, is dangerous when damaged or broken. Friable asbestos, or loose asbestos, is far more hazardous and requires A-Class asbestos removal specialists to manage the process.

ICON Asbestos Removal specialises in asbestos removal, offering bonded and friable asbestos removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Contact us today and get your free, comprehensive quote.

The Deadly Danger of Disturbed Asbestos Fibres

Asbestos fibres are invisible to the eye, cannot be smelled or tasted, and remain airborne for long periods. A single square metre of asbestos sheeting can release thousands of fibres when cut or broken during renovation, demolition, or normal routine activities.

DIY removal is never safe. Attempting to remove asbestos without a licensed asbestos removal specialist risks spreading fibres throughout your home or office. Only a professional asbestos removal service with proper containment, monitoring, and approved disposal containers can guarantee safe outcomes.

What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos: Safe Action and Licensed Removal Experts

If you suspect asbestos in your property, take these three steps:

  • 1

    Inspection and Testing – Arrange a professional asbestos inspection service, testing, and audit to confirm the presence of asbestos materials in your walls, roofing, tiles, etc.

  • 2

    Safe Removal and Disposal – A licensed asbestos removal company will remove and dispose of asbestos in compliance with Queensland health and safety laws.

  • 3

    Final Clearance and Peace of Mind – Air monitoring, thorough decontamination, and final inspections ensure your property is free from contamination.

ICON Asbestos Removal provides a detailed quote for asbestos removal services and offers financing options to keep costs affordable. Our team specialises in asbestos removal with public liability insurance, certified A-Class licensing, and thorough site assessments. Whether your needs involve roof replacement, soil remediation, demolition, or encapsulation, our asbestos services deliver safe and reliable solutions with every job. Contact us today for safe and licensed asbestos removal services.

Don't Wait—Protect Your Home and Family Today

Icon asbestos removal

Asbestos is a hazardous material that remains dangerous for decades after its use in Australian construction. It is still present in many homes, sheds, offices, and industrial buildings across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast. Disturbed asbestos poses serious risks that can only be managed through a licensed asbestos removal service.

ICON Asbestos Removal offers professional asbestos removal services across southeast Queensland. Our company provides bonded and friable asbestos removal, inspections, testing, demolition, contaminated soil remediation, re-roofing, cladding replacement, and more. With years of industry experience, our dedicated asbestos specialists ensure every job is carried out safely, efficiently, and at a cost you can manage.

Contact ICON Asbestos Removal today to get your free, no-obligation quote. Call 0409 593 779 or email our office to request a quick consultation. Our trained and certified team is ready to help you remove asbestos safely, providing the peace of mind Brisbane residents deserve.