Know your asbestos risks before you start your summer renovation projects. Photo: Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency.
Australians are being warned about ageing and deteriorating asbestos as the warmer season approaches and home renovation projects kick off.
Around 4000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases. As part of National Asbestos Awareness Week, people are being urged to hire asbestos professionals for any home renovation plans.
The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) said that despite a complete asbestos ban more than 20 years ago, an estimated one in three homes across Australia still contained asbestos.
The asbestos-containing materials are between 30 and 100 years old, and the matrix to which the asbestos was bonded is deteriorating. The older they become, the more likely they are to release harmful asbestos fibres.
“If your home was built before 1990, there’s a high likelihood it contains asbestos,” said ASSEA CEO Jodie Deakes.
“Asbestos was used in over 3000 building products, and it can show up inside and outside, in floors, walls, ceilings, eaves, pipes, and roofs.
“Asbestos cement roofs are particularly concerning, as they are in the poorest condition, having been directly exposed to years of sun, wind, rain, and hail. Heavy rains can wash fibres into guttering, contaminating surrounding areas,” said Ms Deakes.
Ms Deakes added that asbestos eaves might be in better condition due to their protection, but they were not risk-free, especially if damaged or disturbed.
About six million tonnes of ageing asbestos material remain in the built environment, creating an urgent need to focus on safe, proactive removal and disposal.
With the increase in renovations and simple additions, such as home security installations, homeowners could unwittingly put themselves at risk by drilling into asbestos eaves to install security cameras, CCTV systems, or sensor lights.
These actions can release asbestos fibres which, when inhaled, may lead to serious health issues, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Barry Robson from the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia encourages those planning home renovations to hire professionals.
“There isn’t a hole big enough in Australia to bury all the asbestos in it,” Mr Robson said.
“Our message this National Asbestos Awareness Week is for homeowners to engage asbestos professionals to test for asbestos before starting any renovation or DIY project.
“By knowing where asbestos is in your home, you’ll be able to take the right steps to protect yourself and your family from exposure and plan for its safe removal.”
This National Asbestos Awareness Week, ASSEA urges all Australians to respect the risks, know the facts, and seek expert guidance before tackling a project in a home that may contain asbestos. For more information, please visit www.asbestossafety.gov.au.
Information on the age of asbestos-containing materials is available from the Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency.
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