Asbestos Carpet Underlay

Recent reports on asbestos carpet underlay have indicated that carpet underlay may be contaminated with asbestos. The source of the asbestos carpet underlay is from recycling of hessian bags used to transport material from Wittenoom to Perth in the 1960’s and 70’s.

When is it dangerous?

Asbestos underlay is considered dangerous only when disturbed.  So walking on a carpet with hessian asbestos carpet underlay is reasonably safe.

So what should I do if I suspect asbestos carpet underlay is present in my property?

When it is time to replace that old and tired looking carpet and you think it may fall in the right date (1960s to 1970s), then do not pull up the potential asbestos underlay yourself.

Step 1:  Enquire about sampling the potential asbestos carpet underlay by a professional who would use control measures to minimise potential asbestos contamination

Step 2: Should you find that you indeed have an asbestos carpet underlay, employ contractors with friable asbestos removal licence to remove and dispose of the asbestos carpet underlay for you.

Step 3:  Conduct asbestos atmospheric testing to ensure that levels of airborne asbestos fibres fall within the safety zone during and after asbestos carpet underlay removal

Similar hessian material found in asbestos carpet underlay can also be found to the hessian matrix within linoleum/vinyl flooring, thermoplastic tiles and even the bitumen glue used to bond the tiles to the floor.