Asbestos phone App - ACM Check
Asbestos is widespread in our environment and can still be found in many homes. Identifying asbestos is difficult but it is important to consider whether any part of your home contains asbestos, particularly if you are considering any renovation, construction or demolition work around the home. It is also important to be aware of asbestos containing materials, for example fences, walls, eaves and roofs, so that they can be maintained in good condition and not damaged.
To help people to identify asbestos in their home Curtin University researchers have developed and tested a mobile phone app called ACM Check (Asbestos-Containing Material Check). The app aims to raise awareness about asbestos in the home as well as to collect data about the amount and condition of in situ asbestos in WA cities and towns.
ACM Check guides users through an inspection of their home, both inside and outside, and identifies potential asbestos-containing materials by asking questions about the age of the house, renovation history and key features of the materials used. ACM Check shows plenty of photos to help users complete the inspection, which can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 15 minutes depending on the property. After each inspection the app generates a summary report for the property and provides a series of recommendations about how to manage these materials.
ACM Check was released earlier this year and is available for free.