Advocacy Australia’s Asbestos Education Committee vows to educate tradespeople, renovators, landlords, and residential, commercial and rural property managers on the dangers of disturbing asbestos material and the steps to take if such material is uncovered.
For 13 years the committee has been unflagging in its efforts to highlight the importance of asbestos mitigation in properties, citing that 4000 annual deaths can be attributed to inhaling asbestos fibres during renovations, demolition and maintenance.
This death toll is only predicted to increase, as exposure to asbestos fibres via irresponsible removal and handling leads to malignant mesotheliom – of which there is currently no cure – asbestosis and lung cancer. Alarming new evidence also hints at a correlation between asbestos exposure and ovarian and laryngeal cancers and increased risks of breast, stomach and colon cancers.
The recently released video, entitled Asbestos in Homes: A Guide to Identification, Testing and Removal enriches the committee’s already rigorous portfolio of free expert-endorsed resources.
Combatting asbestos exposure misunderstandings
Advocacy Australia and Asbestos Education Committee chair Clare Collins says education tools aim to debunk misunderstandings regarding the murky safety levels of asbestos.
“If sealed and in good, stable condition asbestos-containing materials don’t pose a health risk,” she says.
“However, when disturbed during demolition, renovation or maintenance, microscopic asbestos fibres are released and can be inhaled, which can lead to life-threatening diseases.”
There is currently no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, therefore those who are working on or living in a house that was built before 1990 would be remiss to not understand the risks and dangers.
Collins says the 20-minute video unpacks the essentials of asbestos safety, alongside the legalities and life-saving steps people should take for asbestos inspections and removal. “They will know how to protect themselves, their families, tradies and anyone who might risk exposure to asbestos fibres during renovation, demolition and maintenance,” says Collins.
Startling statistics will catalyse greater action
The video features expert commentary from numerous industry leaders devoted to dismantling assumptions around asbestos risks, including president of the Asbestos and Hazmat Removal Contractors Association of NSW (AHRCA) Bret Baker, president of the Asbestos and Hazardous-Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) John Batty and Asbestos Awareness Ambassador Cherie Barber.
Barber – whose grandfather passed away from an asbestos-related disease – stresses the importance of overcoming the damaging legacy left by Australia’s status as one of the highest global consumers of asbestos-containing materials.
“One in three Aussie homes still contain potentially deadly asbestos in a wide range of products,” she says.
“Many don’t know that asbestos was not only used in the construction of fibro homes but was also used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products that could be lurking in any brick, fibro, weatherboard, clad home or apartment built or renovated before 1990.”
A process of assessment, identification and removal
Barber says the former ubiquity of asbestos means it could now be found in numerous locations at a property, including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in ceilings and ceiling space, leaves, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences and many other areas.
“In the video, we explain asbestos risks and show property owners what they need to do before starting renovations by demonstrating the entire process of safe asbestos management from professional assessment, identification, removal and clearance certificates to ensure they don’t put their life or the lives of others at risk,” says Barber.
Photography supplied by Asbestos Education Committee and Advocacy Australia.
