Calling all renovators! – Are you aware of asbestos and its risks?
Published on 11 November 2015
Homeowners planning to embark on DIY renovations are being reminded of the potential exposure to asbestos fibres.
Today, Chair of Council’s Business Enterprise Committee Cr Neil Fisher met with team members of the Asbestos Awareness campaign, who visited Rockhampton as part of a statewide tour for National Asbestos Awareness Month.
In tow was “Betty” – a first of its kind mobile home, designed to demonstrate just where asbestos can be found during renovations and repairs.
Betty and the team made a stop at Bunnings Warehouse Rockhampton for part of the morning and provided local shoppers with information on the potentially deadly material.
Cr Fisher said asbestos awareness is vital, particularly following the damages caused to many homes during TC Marcia earlier this year.
“There have been and continue to be a lot of repair works and renovations around the Region following TC Marcia,” Cr Fisher said.
“While renovations are something positive and exciting, it’s so important to be aware of the risks involved with asbestos exposure and just how common it is to find asbestos containing material in Australian homes.”
One in three Australian homes is believed to contain asbestos in some form or another.
When disturbed, asbestos fibres can be released into the air and when inhaled, can cause life-threatening diseases including lung cancer, pleural disease, asbestosis and mesothelioma, an incurable, terminal cancer.
Peter Dunphy Chair of the Asbestos Education Committee heading the national Asbestos Awareness Month campaign said many Australians believe that only fibro homes contain asbestos but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Because Australia was among the highest consumers of asbestos products in the world, asbestos-containing materials are common in homes built or renovated before 1987 with a broad range of products still commonly found in and around any brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad home,” Mr Dunphy said.
He said homeowners and renovators should get to know where these products might be found in homes. A 20 Point Asbestos Safety Check can be found at asbestosawareness.com.au