Episode 59: Loose-Fill Asbestos

In this episode Steven Nikolovski, State Inspector for Asbestos and Demolition at SafeWork NSW joins us to discuss loose-fill asbestos, what it is, and why it so bad. Loose-fill asbestos is a dangerous form of asbestos used as insulation material and manufactured from raw crushed asbestos. It was used as ceiling insulation in the '60s and '70s by a small group of companies due to its excellent insulating and fire-retardant properties before becoming banned from use. Loose-fill asbestos is friable, that is, there is no means of preventing the tiny fibres from being released into the air, drifting from the ceiling to other parts of the home and inhaled by its occupants.