Asbestos products have a very wide range of appearances. It is not possible to tell by simply looking at it whether a particular item contains asbestos or is a modern, version of the same product and does not contain asbestos. The only way to tell, if you don't know the construction history details, is to have a sample tested by a qualified laboratory.
Many asbestos-containing products will float, many will not. Raw asbestos rock will not float.
Asbestos is not usually found in wooden products or metal products (unless gaskets or insulation is part of them).
Gyprock is an Australian manufacturer of gypsum-based products. They do not intentionally include asbestos in any of their products.
Asbestos is a fiberous mineral. It is hard to describe its appearance but white asbestos has a look similar to cotton wool, whereas brown and blue asbestos look similar to crushed timber but on a much much smaller scale. It is not possible to look at a manufactureed product with the naked eye and determine whether it contains asbestos. An experienced minerologist might be able to identify raw, unprocessed asbestos by sight, but where exposure and health is a concern, lab analysis should be relied upon.
Asbestos-cement wallboard looks like any other cement board product. Only analysis by a qualified lab can tell the difference.
Asbestos-cement wallboard looks like any other cement board product. Only analysis by a qualified lab can tell the difference.
One cannot purchase asbestos ceiling tiles currently. Because asbestos has shown to be harmful to the health of people, products containing asbestos are no longer sold.
Asbestos exposure is widespread: . Asbestos has been used for many different things such as building and construction or garden products.
Asbestos is a mineral and has no smell.
The products used by oil companies that most commonly contained asbestos were insulation on pipes and gaskets on vessel closures and pipe connections. Now, asbestos will be present in these materials only on older installations.
There are a number of forms of asbestos that can be called by a colour, but can also be called by their actual mineralogical or trade name. White asbestos, which is more properly called Chrysotile, was widely used in building products and is the most commonly found type of asbestos in building materials today. However, other types have also been used. Brown asbestos, more widely known by its trade name, Amosite, is the second most commonly found asbestos type in building products.
Most asbestos-containing products are not water absorbent, but a few may be able to absorb some water.