The presence of asbestos in buildings can lead to subsequent exposure of residents or workers in the facility, putting them in danger of asbestos-related hazards. Asbestos was a popular construction material in older buildings when the material was used for panelling, insulation or fire protection in walling, piping and roofing; it is now banned from…
Asbestos was widely integrated into buildings throughout Australia up to the end of the 1980s. The material was phased out afterwards, but was not banned by the government until 2003. The reason for implementing the ban was health-related; the inhalation of asbestos fibres contributes to diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. School facilities, particularly…
Across the globe, there are laws and regulations for the proper removal and disposal of asbestos from buildings. In Australia, the law allows homeowners, in limited conditions, to remove asbestos from their homes without professional help. A provision in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations explains that removal of asbestos can be carried out by…
A recent Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency report states that health care expenses and losses in work productivity due to asbestos-related diseases cost Australia half a billion dollars in 2015. Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to pleural disease, asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Workers most at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres include technical…
Before asbestos was regulated, it was the most widely used material in construction across the globe. When the negative health effects of asbestos were made known to the public, many homeowners feared the potential presence of asbestos in their homes. History of Asbestos in Australian Homes In the 1980s, Australia’s construction and building industry was…