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Asbestos lifespan

Asbestos legacy

Australia’s widespread use of asbestos means a lethal legacy of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remain in our workplaces, homes and the built environment.

Ageing ACMs

Many ACMs still in the built environment have now reached or are nearing the end of their average – and, in some cases, maximum – product lifespan. Ageing ACMs are degrading and so is the material to which the asbestos was bonded.

The below graph demonstrates why it's important to understand your asbestos legacy, so you can develop a plan to safely remove ACMs. The older they become, the likelier they are to deteriorate and, potentially, release fibres.

Asbestos product lifespan estimates

Infograph depicting the 8 most common asbestos products found in the VAEA’s AIRSystem, a live database of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings owned by the Victorian Government. The products listed below have exceeded their average – an in some cases, maximum – estimated product life.

Updated

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