Don't play renovation roulette: National Asbestos Awareness Month

Asbestos is on the agenda again, with National Asbestos Awareness Month coming up this November.

With the widespread popularity of renovation shows such as The Block sparking an ongoing boom in renovations, the campaign is claiming that now, more than ever, it is vital that tradies, home owners, renovators and handymen ‘Get to kNOw Asbestos this NOvember’.

There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres and, with one in three Australian homes containing the deadly substance, it is considered a top priority for not only workers, but the general public, to safely manage asbestos-containing materials that can be found in and around homes.

“Many Australians believe that only fibro homes contain asbestos, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Peter Dunphy, chair of the Asbestos Education Committee heading the awareness campaign.

He said people would be surprised at where they might find the hidden danger of asbestos in a home built or renovated before 1987, such as under floor coverings, behind wall and floor tiles, ceilings (including insulation), eaves, garages, fences, extensions to homes, chook sheds and even dog kennels.

“By visiting asbestosawareness.com.au, people will be able to easily search to identify the sorts of products to look for [and] the locations of where they might be found, and learn how to manage it and dispose of it safely,” said Dunphy.

“If left undisturbed and well maintained, asbestos-containing products generally don’t pose a health risk. However, if these products are disturbed and fibres are released during a renovation, a knock-down-rebuild or the redevelopment of an old fibro home site, this is when health risks can occur.”

Tradespeople are considered particularly vulnerable, as they come into contact with products that may contain asbestos in their everyday work life, and are urged to know the risks and safe management practices of working with asbestos.

Professor Nico van Zandwijk, director of the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, said there is growing evidence suggesting the current occurrences of asbestos-related diseases are a result of exposure to asbestos fibres during DIY and renovations. He said more people, specifically women, are being diagnosed as a result of inhaling fibres in a non-occupational setting.

“When it comes to asbestos, don’t play renovation roulette!” said Dunphy.

“Don’t cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t water blast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do... don’t dump it!”  

During Asbestos Awareness Month, Australians can host a ‘Blue Lamington Drive’ to raise awareness of asbestos in homes and help raise funds for the Asbestos Disease Research Institute and support groups by visiting www.bluelamington.com. For more information, visit asbestosawareness.com.au.

Image courtesy of asbestosawareness.com.au