25 November 2021
National Asbestos Awareness Week is organised by the Australian Government’s Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, in partnership with state and territory government agencies and non-government organisations
‘Think twice about asbestos’ is this year’s campaign for National asbestos awareness week. The campaign challenges complacency by reminding home renovators and tradespeople that the danger of asbestos is far from over. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness amongst the public and key trades about the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos fibres, where asbestos products can be found and prompt behavioural change – to contact a licensed asbestos professional.
During the COVID lockdowns there has been a surge in DIY home improvements. The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) commissioned a poll of 1506 home improvers, and their data revealed some worrying trends. Results showed that 38% had been working on ‘risky’ homes that were built between 1940 and 1990 – homes built during this time have the highest risk of containing asbestos. While 28% conceded they had illegally disposed of asbestos, usually by placing it in their household bin or a neighbor’s bin.
“For anyone who thinks asbestos related diseases are a thing of the past, think again” AESA chief executive Justine Ross said at the start of National Asbestos Awareness Week. “Around 700 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in Australia each year and the estimated annual health system expenditure for mesothelioma is more than $27 million annually.”
There are an estimated six million tonnes of legacy asbestos in Australia, affecting 1 in 3 homes. At the current rate of disposal, legacy asbestos is likely to remain in significant amounts until at least 2060.
ASEA is developing a national residential asbestos “heat map” they hope will help manage the problem. “Once completed next year, it will allow governments to target awareness and removal programs where they are most needed, protecting homeowners and tradespeople,” Ross said. “It also means we can better target infrastructure and resources, such as waste disposal facilities, in areas that will need it most. We want to see Australians treat asbestos with the same caution as electricity. People working on homes built before 1990 can stay safe if they know where asbestos is, if they don’t disturb or damage it, and if they seek professional help to locate, manage or remove it.”
Sources:
Australian National Asbestos Awareness Week 2021
Australians admit ‘dumping asbestos in neighbours’ bins’ during DIY boom