Asbestos From Super Six
Super Six Hazards
Super Six roofing material can release asbestos. This is often found in the ceiling space below the roof, and in the soil surrounding the property.
Super Six Roof Composition
Super Six is made with asbestos and concrete. Concrete is basic, or alkaline. Carbon dioxide in the air is slightly acidic. Super Six can contain white asbestos (chrysotile), brown asbestos (amosite), and blue asbestos (crocidolite). It is likely that the first of these to be found in the airborne phase would be the brown and/or blue asbestos.
Effect of Rain on Super Six
When it rains, the basic concrete reacts with the slightly acidic rain water and slowly exposes the asbestos fibers in Super Six. Studies have shown that rain water from a Super Six roof will contain millions of asbestos fibres.
Asbestos Fibres in the Gutters
The gutters of properties with Super Six roofing material can be expected to contain a large quantity of asbestos fibres. Asbestos analysis done by K2 Environmental has shown that samples of wind-blown dust and dirt in the gutters contain abundant amounts of asbestos material. The dust material is highly friable, and when cleaning the gutters, the risk of being exposed to asbestos is very high. Consult a specialist before performing these tasks.
Asbestos Fibres in the Soil
Wherever the rainwater ends up, so will the asbestos fibres. If the rainwater falls to the ground around the building, the asbestos fibres will be left in the soil. These fibres then become a hazard; if they are disturbed, they can become airborne. For example, if children are playing in bare soil that contains asbestos fibres, this can cause the asbestos fibres to become airborne. Long after the asbestos roof has been removed, it is possible to have high levels of airborne asbestos if the soil around the building is disturbed.
Can I Seal the Super Six Roof?
Tests have shown that sealing a Super Six roof with a sealer such as PVA will reduce the quantity of fibres in the rainwater but it will not eliminate it. The asbestos test data shows that large quantities of fibres are found in rainwater from a PVA sealed Super Six roof.
Fibres in the Ceiling Space
Asbestos fibres are frequently found in the ceiling space below a Super Six roof. This can occur in a number of ways – two examples are given below:
1. Small cracks in the Super Six – over time, cracks can appear in the Super Six roof. These small cracks act as a pathway for rainwater, which carries the asbestos fibres and deposits it in the ceiling space below.
2. Action of wind and small movements in the building can rub the Super Six material. This action can release asbestos fibres.
Rat and Bird Excrement
The asbestos testing of rat and bird excrement, which has been carried out by K2 Environmental, has tested positive for traces of asbestos. This is due to the fact that when birds and/or rats live below a Super Six roof, they absorb asbestos fibres into their system, and thus, their excrement can contain asbestos fibres.
Insulation Material below a Super Six Roof
Insulation material below a Super Six roof is likely to be contaminated with asbestos fibres. This should be treated as asbestos-contaminated material.