Asbestos Awareness Month aims to educate Australians about the dangers of asbestos in and around the home, because Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.
With asbestos-related diseases continuing to increase among Australians as a direct result of exposure to asbestos fibers during home renovations and maintenance, the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos and how best to manage it in and around homes, cannot be overstated!
During Asbestos Awareness Month 1-30 November we aim to educate as many Australians as possible about the dangers of asbestos and how best to manage it.
Many wrongly believe that ONLY fibro homes contain asbestos. Asbestos products can most likely be found in ANY Australian home built or renovated before 1987 even brick, weatherboard, fibro and clad homes.
Asbestos can be found under floor coverings such as carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions to homes, outdoor toilets, dog kennels, chook yards and backyard sheds – it could be anywhere!
It's vital that Australians take the warnings seriously, that they stop playing 'renovation roulette' and protect themselves and their families from exposure to asbestos fibers during renovations and maintenance.
Australians need to think smart, think safe, think asbestosawareness.com.au – it's not worth the risk!
For further information on asbestos please see Council's website, contact Council's Environmental Health staff on 1300 696 272 (1300 MY NBRC) or email.