Decades on, renovators regret as asbestos claims more victims

A THIRD wave of asbestos victims is being diagnosed with life-threatening diseases and most have one thing in common – they renovated their homes in the ’80s.

A leading asbestos support group says home renovators doing works more than 20 years ago are among the new wave of people being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.

“It’s not just people who are renovating now – it’s those who have renovated in the past and weren’t aware of it,” Asbestoswise chief executive Wayne Bruton said.

Mr Bruton condemned the lack of legislation surrounding the deadly fibre.

In Victoria, there are no laws making it mandatory for homeowners to conduct a hazardous materials audit before they start work.

A Safe Work Australia report says that in 2007 there were 660 new cases of mesothelioma in Australia and 551 deaths.

Mr Bruton says current statistics show about 150 new cases of mesothelioma are being diagnosed in Victoria every year.

“That figure will increase, too.”

He criticised local, state and federal governments for not taking the issue seriously enough. “It’s just a constant barrage of bureaucrats not responding to the needs of our organisation and the community.”

Asbestos Contractors Group spokesman Pat Pearson called for the law to be amended to extend to homeowners the protection enjoyed by workplaces. “It needs to change; there’s no doubt at all about that,” he said.

The Weekly has asked the Victorian and federal health ministers for comment.

For more advice on asbestos and its removal, contact the Environmental Protection Authority on 9695 2722 or Department of Health on 1300 761 874.

LETHAL FIBRES

■ Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral used until the 1980s to fireproof and insulate houses.

■ Asbestos can be found under carpets and in paint, weatherboards and plaster.

■ There are three types of asbestos: white, blue and brown.

■ Asbestos is not dangerous when it’s left alone but if it’s broken or breaking down, it creates a dust that can be lethal if inhaled over long periods.

■ Asbestos has been linked to lung cancer and respiratory diseases like mesothelioma.

■ Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to manifest.

■ Safe Work Australia found that, in 2007, 660 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed and 551 people died of the disease.

■ According to the federal government, homes built before the mid-1980s are highly likely to have asbestos products.

■ Homes built between the mid-1980s and 1990 are also likely to have asbestos products. –DANIEL TRAN, http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/decades-on-renovators-regret-as-asbestos-claims-more-victims/2648371.aspx