Today marks the start of National Asbestos Awareness Week 2025 and in the wake of the recent scare of asbestos being identified in children’s play sand, now more than ever, parents need to understand that with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remaining in 1-in-3 Aussie homes, if these materials are not managed safely, they can pose a significant health risk to families.
There’s no doubting Australia’s passion for renovating. We love the challenge! But what many don’t know is that they could be risking their lives and the lives of their loved ones (including their children) if they fail to respect asbestos risks and ensure asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are managed safely.
It’s heartbreaking that around 4,000 Australians die needlessly every year from avoidable asbestos-related diseases – that’s three times the national road toll.
With 51 per cent of current mesothelioma deaths directly linked to home renovations, the number of Australians who will lose their lives is predicted to rise if we don’t get serious about asbestos awareness and how to manage this potentially deadly material safely.
To protect ourselves and our families, it’s vital that we stop playing renovation roulette and start playing it safe by ensuring we understand the risks, know the sorts of ACMs to look for and what to do to ensure this silent ‘serial killer’ is managed safely.
What homeowners need to know is that asbestos wasn’t only used in the manufacture of flat and corrugated sheeting materials.
It was used in the manufacture of more than 3,000 building and decorator products that remain lurking in one third of homes including brick, weatherboard, clad homes and apartments.
It was used everywhere!
ACMs were commonly used in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundries but this potentially deadly fibre could be in places renovators might not expect.
It could be lurking under carpets, linoleum, vinyl and ceramic floor and wall tiles, external and internal walls, ceilings, eaves, roofs and fences.
Asbestos could be in any residential property, in any town or city across Australia if the home was built before 1990 and in any commercial property constructed before 2004.
Make no mistake, renovating, demolishing or maintaining properties that contains asbestos can be lethal if ACMs are disturbed and invisible asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled.
So before taking up tools, learn how to manage asbestos safely by visiting asbestosawareness.com.au to access a range of free information for tradies, rural and commercial property owners, and homeowners including checklists and the Asbestos in Homes: A Guide to Identification, Testing and Removal Video.
Visit asbestosawareness.com.au to learn how to identify, test and safely manage asbestos because it could save your life or the life of a loved one.
Remember, when it comes to asbestos, Don’t cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! Don’t dump it! And whatever you do… DON’T remove it yourself! ONLY use licenced asbestos professionals because it’s not worth the risk!
Media has the power, the means and the reach to deliver this potentially lifesaving message to help ensure no Aussie or a family member dies needlessly from a preventable asbestos-related death, like my grandfather did.
