3rd November 2022
This year’s campaign is urging homeowners, renovators and tradies to respect asbestos because it’s not worth the risk. With at least one in three homes in Australia built before 1990 containing asbestos, residents are urged to always book a licensed professional to do an asbestos sample test before starting any renovation works. Tasks as simple as drilling a hole into a wall can pose a risk if there is asbestos present.
As the cost of living rises with interest rate hikes as well as a lack of tradespersons and rising cost of labour, more and more homeowners are resorting to DIY home improvements and are taking avoidable risks with asbestos and jeopardising their health and the health of others.
Clare Collins, Chair of the Asbestos Education Committee and director of the national campaign said, "Asbestos Awareness Month aims to reduce the incidences of avoidable asbestos exposure to prevent asbestos-related diseases by providing Australians with essential information to help save lives. And with health experts predicting a continued rise in third wave asbestos-related diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos fibres when renovating or maintaining old properties, the growing popularity of renovating and the current shortage of tradespersons; homeowners must learn to respect the serious risks posed by asbestos mismanagement to protect their health and the health of their loved ones," she said.
It is important to remember that asbestos was extensively used to manufacture over 3000 building and decorator products that can still be found in any type of home built or renovated before the 1990’s. If undisturbed and are well maintained in a stable, sealed condition, these products are considered unlikely to pose a health risk. However, if they’re disturbed during renovation or demolition the fibres released can be inhaled and lead to serious asbestos-related diseases in the future.
"Australia was among the highest consumers of asbestos products in the world so it's not surprising that a broad range of these potentially hazardous products are still commonly found in at least 1 in 3 Australian homes in some form or another," said Cherie Barber, long-term ambassador for the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign. "Because there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, without knowing where asbestos might lurk in and around properties or knowing how to manage it safely, people could be playing 'Renovation Roulette', risking their health and the health of families and bystanders if they fail to respect asbestos and disturb these hazardous materials. We don't want people to take the 'she'll be right' approach and start ripping out old floor coverings, wall and floor tiles or undertaking any work or demolition without first checking to see if asbestos might be lurking in their home. Complacency poses the greatest risk of all so it’s vital people learn to respect asbestos as a real and present danger and learn how to manage it safely by visiting Australia's most comprehensive, trusted source of asbestos information, asbestosawareness.com.au." Ms Barber said.
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