Australian Asbestos Network

Last remaining Wittenoom properties to be demolished in bid to deter danger-seeking tourists Wittenoom will be demolished, a move the state government hopes will reduce the attraction for tourists who ignore warnings of asbestos fibres on the ground and in the air at the town.

Why Is Asbestos Dangerous? » Reflections Asbestos can cause cancer. You can’t see, smell or taste it and there is no known safe level of exposure.

Today is World Cancer Day.

Asbestos causes a number of cancers, including lung, ovarian and laryngeal cancer and mesothelioma.

Every year in Australia, there are an estimated 4,000 deaths from asbestos-related cancer.

To prevent breathing in dangerous asbestos fibres, always get a licensed asbestos professional to check for asbestos before starting work on buildings built before 1990.

For more information, visit https://asbestossafety-homeowners.com.au/

Home - Reflections As we experience a 3rd ‘wave’ of sufferers, including home renovators (DIY) and tradies, ongoing community AWARENESS is crucial. Reflections, in partnership with the building industry, is actively increasing awareness through events such as Steeltoes & Stilettos along with advocacy for improved ...

How much legacy asbestos is there in Australia?

We have an updated national snapshot. The updated estimates show that in 2021, around 6.4 million tonnes of legacy asbestos remain in the built environment in Australia. This includes:

- 3.4 million tonnes of asbestos cement pipes
- 1.7 million tonnes of asbestos cement sheeting (domestic)
- 1.0 million tonnes of asbestos cement sheeting (commercial).

To see more on the updated estimates, visit https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/what-we-do/news-and-announcements/updated-asbestos-stocks-and-flows-model

Asbestos causes cancer and is still in 1 in 3 Aussie homes. To find out more about asbestos in the home, visit https://asbestossafety-homeowners.com.au/

Tradies: There are certain tools and work methods you must never use when working with asbestos-containing materials.

This includes the use of power tools, high pressure water cleaners, compressed air, abrasive blasting and household vacuum cleaners (even if they have a HEPA filter).

These activities are dangerous because they can release large numbers of asbestos fibres into the air.

Find out more at https://asbestossafety-construction.com.au/

Asbestos risk from DIY home improvement There are concerns more people may've been exposed to deadly asbestos after an increase in do-it-yourself home renovations during the COVID lockdowns.

Think twice about asbestos.

It can still be found in many places. Around the home, this includes external and internal walls, bathrooms, toilets and laundries, kitchens, roofs, fences, and garages.

See our image for some common asbestos locations around the home and find out more at https://asbestossafety-homeowners.com.au/

Today, on the first day of National Asbestos Awareness Week, we are delighted to launch a fascinating piece of research into the relationship between home improvement, asbestos knowledge and behaviour, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The key findings from the research show that:
- 67% of Australians are home improvers
- 38% have worked on a property with asbestos risk (built before 1990)
- 46% cited pandemic-related motivations for home improvement projects
- 20% of those who have found asbestos admitted to inappropriate (illegal) disposal – most commonly placing it in their household (red) bin.

These findings highlight the importance of this year’s theme – Think Twice About Asbestos.

If your house was built before 1990, it can contain asbestos. So, if you are planning to do any kind of home improvement jobs, whether big or small, you need to think about asbestos.

This research was undertaken in partnership with SEC Newgate Australia. To view the full report, visit https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/what-we-do/news-and-announcements/asbestos-safety-and-home-improvement-research

And if you’re thinking of doing any home renovations – and want to learn more – visit https://asbestossafety-homeowners.com.au/

Great resources from ASEA.

National Asbestos Awareness Week begins today. This year, we’re asking you to think twice about asbestos. Asbestos causes cancer and is still in 1 in 3 Aussie homes. Prevent the risk of exposure to asbestos and find out how to be safe.

Before you start any work around the house, check if your home was built before 1990. If so, it can contain asbestos.

Asbestos can be in many locations including external and internal walls, bathrooms, toilets and laundries, kitchens, roofs, fences, and garages. Don’t risk your health or someone else’s by disturbing asbestos.

Call a licensed asbestos professional if you aren’t trained to locate, manage or remove it.

Find out more about asbestos around the home, visit https://asbestossafety-homeowners.com.au/

Think twice about asbestos. It can still be found in many places. Around the home, this includes external and internal walls, bathrooms, toilets and laundries, kitchens, roofs, fences, and garages. Asbestos is dangerous if damaged, disturbed or deteriorating. Once asbestos fibres are disturbed they become airborne and can then be inhaled or ingested. This can happen when sanding, drilling, cutting or sawing asbestos-containing materials.

Find out more: www.asbestossafety.gov.au

Asbestos found in imported toys and building materials Australia has one of the highest rates in the world of the asbestos-related disease mesothelioma due to our past heavy use of the deadly mineral. It had been hoped a 2003 ban on the manufacture, transport and importation of asbestos would lead to a brighter future, but unions say the threat is ever....

Vale Professor AW Bill Musk.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of Professor Bill Musk's passing at his home on Wednesday.

Prof Bill Musk was a truly significant figure in asbestos disease care and research, both here in Western Australia, at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and The University of Western Australia, and as a leading international researcher.

Born in Kalgoorlie on 12 August 1943, Prof Musk's medical career began in 1967 as a Medical Officer at Royal Perth Hospital. He joined Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in 1968. He commenced as a physician in the Department of Respiratory Health, and the same year became Chair of the WA Mesothelioma Registry. The WA Asbestos Review Program, which in 2020 held an event to mark its 30th anniversary, was commenced under Prof Bill Musk.

As a respiratory physician, his research interests included smoking and asthma, and Prof Musk was Chair of the Busselton Population Research Foundation, the most longstanding longitudinal health study of its kind in the world. He was a prolific author but remained truly humble about his academic achievements.

Prof Bill Musk was a collaborator, mentor, supervisor and friend to many leading researchers in the asbestos disease field, including Prof Bruce Robinson, Professor Nick de Klerk, Professor Gary Lee, Professor Anna Nowak, Professor Fraser Brims and Professor Jenette Creaney. He saw many hundreds of mesothelioma patients over the years, and will be deeply missed by many of us.

Here's Bill at our morning tea back in July, honouring him and Bruce Robinson with portraits by the very talented Hayley Caddy. Vale Bill Musk.

gotta do what you gotta do – one sufferers very real journey | Reflections That initial diagnosis of MESOTHELIOMA is overwhelming and the journey that follows can be rough. Rod Burrows shares his journey with mesothelioma to encourage and inspire fellow sufferers. Welcome to my fight. I thought I would write a blog about my experience with this nasty little disease, mainly...

Today marks Mesothelioma Awareness Day, highlighting a rare cancer that can occur in the thin tissue layer that covers many internal organs, including the lungs 😮‍💨In Australia, about 90% of all mesothelioma patients have a confirmed history of significant asbestos exposure.

In Australia 🇦🇺 asbestos cement materials were first manufactured in the 1920s and were commonly used in the manufacture of residential building materials from the mid-1940s until the late 1980s. Following increasing health concerns, asbestos cement materials were phased out in favour of asbestos-free products. Pictured is asbestos removal in 1985.

A total ban on all forms of asbestos came into force from 31 December 2003🗓 In 2013 Health published a guide for householders and the general public to sensibly and safely manage the risks of any occasional encounters with asbestos materials in and around their homes 🏡

If you’re making renovations during this pandemic, we suggest checking out the asbestos guide here 💻 https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-publicat-environ.htm

For further information about asbestos, visit 💻 https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/find-out-about-asbestos/asbestos-home

For more 100 Years of Health, visit 💻 https://www.health.gov.au/about-us/100-years-of-health

We’ve updated our asbestos awareness brochure for the automotive industry. This update includes information for historic vehicle enthusiasts, who may be exposed to asbestos while working on older vehicles.

The brochure includes information about where asbestos is commonly found, the laws and regulations surrounding asbestos management and removal, as well as guidance and safety tips to help you protect yourself and others from exposure to harmful asbestos fibres.

See the updated brochure, visit https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/find-out-about-asbestos/asbestos-safety-information/brochures/asbestos-awareness-information-automotive-industry

Thinking about replacing or repairing your weathered and run down fencing this weekend?

Before you start, make sure your fence doesn't contain asbestos.

Asbestos was used in over 3,000 products prior to 1990, many of these were in residential construction, including fencing.

Before you start, find out more about asbestos, contact an asbestos professional for advice or visit our website for more information: https://asbestossafety-homeowners.com.au/

World-leading asbestos diseases researcher awarded international prize A researcher who has helped improve the lives of mesothelioma patients has been awarded the world’s most prestigious prize for mesothelioma research.