Letters to the Editor -ST Archives
Asbestos Awareness
Dear Editor,
I’ve built a career by renovating properties and teaching others how to do cost effective renovations for profit. Renovating is exciting, it’s fun and rewarding but, it can also be lethal if property owners aren’t aware of the potentially deadly asbestos-containing materials that lurk in 1-in-every-3 Australian homes.
Every year around 4,000 Australians die from asbestos-related diseases (more than double the national road toll) because people don’t know how to manage asbestos safely while others continue to ignore the warnings. With experts predicting deaths from asbestos will continue to rise; it’s vital that homeowners start to respect the dangers of asbestos and learn what to look for and what to do to manage it safely.
Asbestos was used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products that can still be found in any brick, fibro, weatherboard, clad homes, apartments or sheds built or renovated before 1990. Many of these products could be lurking under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels. Asbestos was used everywhere!
While these materials are not considered dangerous if undisturbed and in a stable, sealed condition; if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition and invisible asbestos fibres are released into the iar and can be inhaled, this can lead to asbestos-related diseases including malignant mesothelioma. There is no cure for this preventable cancer with the average survival time after diagnosis just 10-12 months.
So, if you’re a homeowner or a passionate renovator and you don’t respect asbestos, you could be risking your life and the lives of your loved ones. Before taking up tools on any home built or renovated before 1990, visit www.asbestosawareness.com.au to learn the sorts of products to look for and how to manage asbestos safely. The rule is, if you think a product may contain asbestos, treat it as if it is asbestos and take all the necessary precautions starting with having the home inspected by an occupational hygienist or a licenced asbestos assessor. If asbestos is confirmed we recommend that you only use a licenced asbestos removalist.
As a professional renovator and someone who lost their grandfather to an asbestos-related disease, I know personally the importance of respecting the ever-present danger of asbestos. I urge all homeowners and renovators to protect themselves, their families and neighbours by managing asbestos safely because it’s not worth the risk!
Cherie Barber
Australia’s Renovation Queen™
Ambassador for National Asbestos Awareness Month
