As the clean-up continues across Queensland after widespread flooding, residents are being urged to be cautious of asbestos.
Hannah Murray, Associate in Dust Diseases and Asbestos at Slater and Gordon Lawyers, warns that the inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres can cause mesothelioma, an aggressive terminal cancer for which there is no cure.
“There’s a real concern that residents may start the clean-up process without taking precautions.
"The material will already be disturbed from the flood damaged, and that increases the chance and danger of breathing in the deadly fibres,” Ms Murray said.
In Australia a staggering 1 in 3 homes built before 1990 contain asbestos. When products containing asbestos are disturbed, for example damaged by flood water, asbestos fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and may cause deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
“The dangers of asbestos should never be underestimated, and I urge home and business owners who are repairing properties after the flooding to be cautious and seek professional assistance if you are unsure or have any concerns.
“It’s better to be overly cautious when dealing with anything you believe could contain asbestos.” Ms Murray said.
Asbestos may be present in roofing, flooring, fencing, putty/glues, plumbing, cement building materials, carpet underlay, tiles, pipes and insulation.
“While it can be hard to know if your home or business contains asbestos, it was a common building product until the 1990s, so you should assume that if your home is built before then there’s a likely risk,” Ms Murray said.
Key Facts:
Queensland resdients are being urged to be cautions of asbestos in the clean up after after widespread flooding.
In Australia a staggering 1 in 3 homes built before 1990 contain asbestos. When products containing asbestos are disturbed, for example damaged by flood water, asbestos fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and may cause deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
The material will already be disturbed from the flood damaged, and that increases the chance and danger of breathing in the deadly fibres.
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