Hidden Hazards at Home: Asbestos, Chemicals, and the Quiet Risks Lurking in Plain Sight

The Quiet Dangers Sitting in Your Walls, Roof, and Shed

Most homes don’t look dangerous. They look lived-in. Warm. Ordinary. But behind the paint, under the lino, and inside the garage cupboard, there can be substances that don’t announce themselves until decades later — when lungs, skin, or nerves finally pay the price.

Two of the most underestimated household hazards in New Zealand are:

  • Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
  • Domestic chemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, fuels, solvents, and cleaning agents

They don’t hiss or glow. They just wait.

Asbestos in Homes – Where It Hides

If your house was built or renovated before the late 1990s, asbestos is a real possibility. It was used because it was fire-resistant, durable, and cheap. Unfortunately, it’s also a silent killer when fibres become airborne.

Common locations include:

  • Cement cladding and weatherboards
  • Soffits, eaves, and gable ends
  • Textured ceilings (popcorn, stipple, or sprayed finishes)
  • Vinyl floor tiles and old lino backing
  • Roofing sheets, fences, and garages
  • Flue pipes, backing boards, and old switchboards

The Risk

Asbestos is not dangerous when sealed and undisturbed. The danger begins when it is:

  • Cut
  • Drilled
  • Sanded
  • Broken
  • Demolished
  • Pressure washed

Microscopic fibres lodge in the lungs and never leave. Diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma can take 20–40 years to surface.

No second chances. No early warning signs.

Basic Good Controls for Homeowners

You don’t need to become a scientist. You just need to be cautious and deliberate.

1. Assume Before You Disturb

If you’re renovating, repairing, or demolishing, assume asbestos is present until proven otherwise.

2. Don’t DIY Suspect Materials

Home power tools and asbestos are a lethal combination. Cutting and grinding release fibres instantly.

3. Get It Surveyed

A professional asbestos survey identifies materials and risk levels before work begins.

4. Leave Removal to Licensed Professionals

For Class B materials like cladding, soffits, roofing, and fences, engage a licensed contractor.

5. Keep Materials Sealed

Paint, encapsulate, or isolate intact asbestos until removal is properly planned.

Who Can Help – PropertyHelp Ltd

PropertyHelp Ltd is a New Zealand-based Class B Licensed Asbestos Removal Company specialising in residential compliance and safe removal.

They can:

  • Arrange asbestos testing and surveys
  • Prepare Asbestos Removal Control Plans (ARCPs)
  • Safely remove cladding, soffits, roofs, garages, and fences
  • Manage disposal at approved facilities
  • Ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and Asbestos Regulations

For homeowners, this means peace of mind — not guesswork.

Other Hazardous Substances in the Home

Asbestos isn’t the only problem child.

Most homes store:

  • Insecticides and fly sprays
  • Weed killers and fungicides
  • Pool chemicals
  • Fuels and oils
  • Solvents, thinners, and paints
  • Mould treatments and disinfectants

Poor storage, missing labels, or mixing incompatible chemicals can lead to:

  • Toxic fumes
  • Fires
  • Skin and eye burns
  • Long-term neurological effects
  • Accidental poisonings (especially children and pets)

Digital Help – ChemMatrix

ChemMatrix is a digital hazardous substance compliance platform that helps households and small property owners:

  • Identify what chemicals they have
  • Access Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
  • Understand health and environmental risks
  • Store chemicals correctly
  • Receive practical guidance for safe handling and disposal

For things like pesticides, insecticides, cleaning agents, and fuels, ChemMatrix acts like a digital memory bank and safety coach rolled into one.

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