But why is this the case? What exactly is asbestos and what makes it so dangerous? Here's why you should never skip this type of survey.

The term 'asbestos' actually refers to various naturally occurring minerals present in soil or rock, which are made up of millions of minuscule fibres. It's because they were such effective insulators against heat, fire, chemicals and electricity, and because they were inexpensive compared to other materials, that the use of asbestos became so widespread in Australia and other parts of the world during the latter half of the 20th century.

Asbestos was incorporated into all manner of building materials, car parts, paints as well as a multitude of other things before their extreme risk to health was realised.

Exposure to asbestos can cause various types of cancer and other diseases, such as asbestosis.

Asbestos fibres are so fine, to the extent that they're not always visible to the naked eye, that they can be breathed in very easily. The fibres in friable asbestos, i.e. a powdered form, are more likely to be inhaled. Even solid and therefore non-friable asbestos can release fibres if the material it's mixed into is damaged in some way, as it then becomes friable.

Although the use of asbestos was eventually outlawed, it can still be found in many older buildings. As explained above, tampering with a building that has asbestos could prove detrimental to your health, even fatal. You therefore need to be sure that the property you're purchasing is completely safe.

As the presence of asbestos may not always be noticeable to the untrained eye, a highly experienced professional is required to correctly identify it. This will allow you to make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with your purchase.

Get in touch today to find out more about the asbestos inspection services we provide in Melbourne.