It’s National Asbestos Awareness Week, and the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) is warning all Australians that asbestos is still a big problem
ASSEA’s CEO Jodie Deakes said there’s around 6.2 million tonnes of deadly asbestos in our homes, businesses and workplaces, which is enough to fill the MCG five times over. Australia’s asbestos legacy continues to have tragic consequences, with around 4,000 people dying each year from asbestos-related diseases.
‘Asbestos is still in many homes built before 1990, and in older buildings it can be up to 100 years old and deteriorating making it increasingly more dangerous,’ said Jodie Deakes.
‘As asbestos products deteriorate with age the risk of exposure to deadly fibres increases. That’s why we are asking people to prioritise the safe and proactive removal of asbestos in their homes which costs around half the amount of unplanned, reactive removal following an accident or natural disaster.’
Reno risks
‘We all know Australians love to DIY and renovate especially in the warmer months, but homeowners may unknowingly expose themselves and their loved ones to danger,’ said Ms Deakes.
‘Even simple home upgrades like drilling into eaves to install security cameras or sensor lights, or sanding back an asbestos painted-wall can release fibres that when inhaled can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer.’
Ms Deakes said there are real concerns for renovators, with over 3,000 asbestos products used and found both inside and outside of older homes built before 1990. Products that can contain asbestos include floors, walls, ceilings, eaves, fences and roofs. These materials are now between 30 and 100 years old which is well beyond their expected lifespan.
‘We’re advising DIYers undertaking home improvement projects to remove potential uncertainty and risk by contacting their local authority for guidance on asbestos removal and how to contact a qualified asbestos assessor and removalist,’ Ms Deakes said.
‘By knowing where asbestos is in your home and prioritising its safe removal, you can plan for the unplanned and protect yourself, your family and neighbours. Accidents can also happen. A cricket ball hitting a shed causing damage, or a wall getting scraped when moving furniture, can be enough to disturb asbestos and cause a hazardous situation.’
Proactive removal
As Australia heads into summer, there’s a real risk that bushfires, floods and storms can damage or disturb asbestos in homes and sheds, which exposes residents, emergency responders, clean-up crews and volunteers to deadly fibres.
‘Proactive removal with the right professional, before natural disaster strikes can significantly reduce these risks while protecting those in your community and on the front line of emergency response and recovery,’ Ms Deakes said.
‘It can also save you from hidden costs, as in many cases insurance may not cover asbestos clean-up and remediation costs, which can be significant.’
Whether at home or at work; through renovation, DIY, accident or natural disaster, asbestos exposure is a real risk for everyone.
For more information, visit asbestossafety.gov.au.
