Myth vs. Reality: Common Asbestos Misconceptions in New Zealand
Asbestos may no longer be commonly used in New Zealand, but it hasn't disappeared. Many older homes, workplaces and buildings can still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), some of which can look completely ordinary.
The bigger challenge? What we think we know about asbestos isn't always correct.
From assuming asbestos was completely banned to believing that a basic dust mask makes removal safe, misconceptions can lead to asbestos being disturbed when it shouldn't be.
Here are some of the most common asbestos myths in New Zealand and what you actually need to know.
Myth: “Asbestos was banned years ago, so it's gone.”
Reality: The restrictions stopped new asbestos-containing products from entering New Zealand — they didn't remove asbestos already in buildings.
New Zealand introduced restrictions on certain forms of asbestos in the 1980s. However, asbestos-containing products continued to be used and imported for many years, with the importation of asbestos-containing products comprehensively banned in 2016.
Existing materials remained in buildings long after these restrictions came into effect.
That's why asbestos can still be encountered in older buildings today, including homes, workplaces and other properties.
WorkSafe's current asbestos survey guidance states that buildings built before 1 January 2000 are likely to contain asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos may be old, but the risk of disturbing it is still very current.
Myth: “The same clearance process applies to every asbestos job.”
Reality: Clearance requirements can vary depending on the work being carried out.
Not every asbestos removal project is the same, so the clearance process shouldn't be treated as one-size-fits-all.
Requirements can depend on factors such as:
The type of asbestos-containing material involved
Whether the material is friable or non-friable
The type and scope of removal work
The size and conditions of the removal area
Whether air monitoring is required
The type of clearance assessment required
Current WorkSafe guidance provides information around clearance inspections, air monitoring and surface testing, including circumstances where controlled disturbance may form part of the assessment process.
The right clearance approach depends on the circumstances of the work — not simply the fact that asbestos was present.
Myth: “White asbestos isn't as dangerous as blue or brown asbestos.”
Reality: White asbestos is still asbestos — and it isn't harmless.
Chrysotile, commonly known as white asbestos, was widely used in construction and manufacturing.
Whilst different asbestos fibre types have different physical characteristics, this shouldn't lead to the assumption that one type is safe to disturb.
Exposure to asbestos fibres is associated with serious diseases including:
Mesothelioma
Lung cancer
Asbestosis
Other asbestos-related respiratory diseases
There is no type of asbestos that should be treated as harmless or safe to disturb.
Myth: “If asbestos looks intact, it's automatically safe.”
Reality: An intact material generally presents less risk, but it can become hazardous when disturbed.
The condition of an asbestos-containing material matters.
An intact material that is left undisturbed is generally less likely to release airborne fibres than one that is damaged or deteriorating.
But “looks fine” doesn't mean “safe to work on.”
An apparently sound asbestos-containing material can release fibres when it is:
Drilled
Cut
Sanded
Ground
Broken
Scraped
Demolished
Weathering, ageing, moisture and physical impact can also affect its condition over time.
The question isn't only whether asbestos is damaged — it's whether the material could be disturbed.
Myth: “A small amount of asbestos exposure doesn't matter.”
Reality: There is no identified completely safe level of asbestos exposure.
It's easy to assume that a quick job or small amount of dust can't make a difference. But asbestos exposure should never be deliberately treated as harmless.
The level of risk associated with exposure can depend on factors such as the concentration of airborne fibres, duration and frequency of exposure, the material involved and the type of work being carried out.
Asbestos-related diseases can also have a very long latency period. Health effects may not become apparent until many years or even decades after exposure.
That doesn't mean every brief exposure will result in disease. It does mean that preventing exposure is always preferable to assuming an exposure is insignificant.
A short job isn't automatically a risk-free job.
Myth: “Asbestos is only a risk for people working in construction.”
Reality: Anyone who works with or around older materials may encounter asbestos.
Construction and demolition work can involve significant asbestos risks, but asbestos isn't limited to construction sites.
It may also be encountered by people working in roles such as:
Electricians
Plumbers
Roofers
Painters
Maintenance workers
Cleaners
Property managers
Contractors
Home renovators
Other trades and service workers
A seemingly straightforward task — such as drilling into a wall, replacing old flooring or repairing a roof — can disturb asbestos if its presence hasn't been identified beforehand.
You don't have to be an asbestos removalist to encounter asbestos.
Asbestos awareness is relevant to anyone who may come across asbestos-containing materials during their work.
Myth: “Other work can continue whilst asbestos work is being completed.”
Reality: Work around an asbestos removal area may need to be controlled until the relevant removal and clearance processes are complete.
Projects rarely happen in isolation. Whilst asbestos work is taking place, other people may be working nearby or preparing for the next stage of a project.
Introducing other activities too early can interfere with the controlled removal process or affect the condition of the area being assessed.
Movement of people, equipment or materials may also introduce contamination or compromise controls around the removal area.
That's why coordination matters.
An asbestos removal area needs to remain appropriately controlled until the relevant removal and clearance processes have been completed.
Myth: “If I can't see asbestos, it isn't there.”
Reality: Asbestos can be hidden within materials or in areas that aren't immediately obvious.
Roofing and cladding may be the first things that come to mind when asbestos is mentioned, but asbestos was used in many different products and applications.
Depending on the age and history of a building, asbestos may be found:
Behind wall or ceiling linings
Under flooring or within flooring materials
In roof spaces
Around pipes and services
Within electrical components
In older machinery and equipment
In garages, sheds and other outbuildings
In contaminated soil
Some asbestos-containing materials can look very similar to modern, asbestos-free products.
This is why visual appearance alone isn't always enough to determine whether a material contains asbestos.
The less obvious the material, the easier it can be overlooked.
Why Getting It Right Matters
What someone believes about asbestos can influence what they do when they encounter it.
If someone believes asbestos was completely banned, they may not consider it before renovating an older building.
If they believe asbestos can be identified visually, they may start drilling or cutting into a suspicious material.
If they believe a basic mask is enough, they may attempt work without the appropriate controls.
And if they believe a brief exposure doesn't matter, they may not take an unexpected asbestos incident seriously.
The biggest risk isn't simply not knowing about asbestos — it's acting on the wrong information.
Asbestos may be an old material, but the misconceptions surrounding it are still very much a current issue.
It can remain hidden in older buildings, look almost identical to modern materials and become a risk when disturbed during renovation, maintenance or demolition.
The guidance around asbestos also continues to evolve in New Zealand, making it important to always check current WorkSafe information rather than relying on assumptions or outdated advice.
If you're unsure whether a material contains asbestos, don't guess and don't disturb it.
Get the right advice even before work begins.
SQN can assist with asbestos surveys, sampling, assessments, management advice and asbestos awareness training to help organisations and individuals understand and manage asbestos risks.
Contact Our Team.