Reynolds Soil Technology (RST) has launched Asbestoguard: a spray-on material binding agent that seals off dangerous asbestos fibres at contaminated sites.

Asbestos was widely used last century by manufacturers and builders, before it was discovered to be harmful when disturbed or broken down. A massive industry has developed around the safe removal of asbestos contaminated materials from worksites ranging from major property developments to home demolitions.

RST recognised the need for a technologically advanced product that can be sprayed on asbestos contaminated materials to hold the dangerous fine particles in place during the demolition and removal process, improving worker safety.

The RST team drew on its expertise in the field as fine particle dust management specialists working in the harshest conditions across the globe to develop Asbestoguard – an innovative asbestos binding agent in the form of a specialty cross-linking polymer emulsion.

Asbestoguard is a hard-wearing solution that works on all asbestos contaminated material types in all weather conditions after one application.

Asbestoguard dilutes in water, allowing for varying binding strengths and longevity requirements, and is easily applied through any watering system.

The Asbestoguard solution can be mixed with another RST product, RT60 Super Wetter, to improve application on hard to wet surfaces and materials.

Marking dye can also be added to Asbestoguard to monitor application areas and strengths.

Excellent results for contaminated earthworks have been achieved applying Asbestoguard diluted at 1:20 and applied at one litre per square metre of material.

RST operations and technical director David Handel said the development of Asbestoguard was focused on minimising health risks and improving worksite efficiency to increase operational optimisation in the demolition and removal of old buildings.

“In many areas across Australia, particularly in major capital cities experiencing land shortage, developers are demolishing older style buildings to make way for new developments,” he said.

“A lot of these buildings contain asbestos contaminated materials which release dangerous fibres into the air when disturbed or broken down.

“The RST team specialises in the control and suppression of dust particles and saw how this knowledge could be applied to create a solution stopping the release of fine asbestos particles from contaminated materials.

“While most of the demand for this solution is from the construction industry, our aim is for Asbestoguard to be a leading safety solution in any industry where asbestos contaminated material is present at the worksite.

“RST’s extensive range of products have been designed to solve a broad variety of problems related to asbestos management, dust control, road and soil stabilisation, erosion control, water management, sediment control and site rehabilitation in all industries.

“We go out into the field and work side by side with clients to identify their unique challenges and offer solutions, developing products, services or total packages to manage their situations.

“We also offer ongoing on and off site training and support to all of our clients and understand the key to success is ensuring our recommendations are followed through with correct operational support.”