Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction due to it being lightweight, versatile and fire-resistant. It is present in roughly one third of Australian homes and can be found in other commercial buildings, infrastructure and farms. There are two types of asbestos: non-friable (also known as ‘bonded’) and friable. Non- friable asbestos products are chemically blended to a material (i.e., cement), whereas friable asbestos products can be crumbled or reduced to dust with light pressure. We now know that asbestos can be dangerous for your health, which is why it has been banned as a building material in Australia since 2003. For more information on where you might find asbestos, visit: www.asbestos.vic.gov.au.