Lexi Webster
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were once widely used in construction due to their durability and fire resistance. However, exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious health issues, including mesothelioma, a type of cancer. Due to the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, there has been an increasing emphasis on banning its use and implementing safety measures. In Australia, asbestos was mined and used extensively, contributing to a high per-capita asbestos exposure rate. The country has also been known for having a high incidence of mesothelioma. Asbestos was eventually banned in Australia in 2003, and the government continues to regulate the importation, sale, and use of asbestos-containing materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ban | 31st December 2003 |
| Types of asbestos mined in Australia | White, blue, and brown |
| Percentage of asbestos used in Australia that was imported | 95% |
| Percentage of asbestos produced/imported into Australia used for building products | 90% |
| Percentage of Australian homes containing asbestos | 33% |
| Year after which houses in Australia are less likely to contain asbestos | 1990 |
| Types of asbestos-containing materials | Non-friable and friable |
| Common asbestos-containing products | Bonded with cement |
| Risks of exposure to asbestos | Mesothelioma, a type of cancer |
| Country with one of the highest rates of mesothelioma | Australia |
| Agency established to address asbestos issues | Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency of Australia (ASEA) |
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What You'll Learn
Asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003
Asbestos is a name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals found in rock formations. It was once considered a miracle construction material and was heavily used across Australia. Asbestos fibres can be mixed with other materials, such as cement, to produce a variety of building products. However, asbestos exposure is directly linked to the development of mesothelioma cancer cells in the lungs, chest wall, and other organs.
Recognising the health risks associated with asbestos, Australia started regulating asbestos products in the late 1970s and banned the use of crocidolite (blue) asbestos in 1967. The use of amosite (brown) asbestos was banned in the mid-1980s. Despite these initial steps, asbestos mining and importation continued in Australia, with the country having one of the highest rates of asbestos use per person worldwide until the mid-1980s.
In 1999, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Scheme released a report on chrysotile asbestos, recommending a phase-out of this type of asbestos in Australia. Finally, on December 31, 2003, asbestos was completely banned in Australia, prohibiting the use, importation, and exportation of asbestos-containing materials. This ban marked a significant milestone in preventing asbestos-related diseases, and Australia has since played a leadership role in advocating for a global ban on asbestos mining and manufacturing.
Despite the ban, asbestos remains prevalent in older Australian buildings, with approximately one-third of homes containing asbestos products. This has resulted in a high risk of occupational asbestos exposure for tradespeople working in residential properties, such as plumbers and electricians. The presence of asbestos in these homes continues to pose a challenge, requiring careful removal and management to prevent health risks.
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Asbestos was used in cement and other building products
Asbestos was once seen as a "miracle construction material" in Australia, with the country responsible for one of the highest consumption rates of asbestos per capita. Indeed, asbestos was used in over 3000 products, including construction materials and vehicles.
Asbestos cement was used in the construction of homes and buildings, with approximately one-third of Australian homes containing asbestos in some form. Asbestos cement materials could be divided into two groups: non-friable and friable. Non-friable asbestos products were more common in households as they are essentially asbestos materials mixed with other materials, such as cement, to provide the overall product with the beneficial properties of asbestos. These products are solid or rigid and cannot be crumbled by hand pressure, and therefore the asbestos fibres are not normally released into the air. However, non-friable asbestos products may become friable if they are damaged or badly weathered, causing the asbestos fibres to be released. Friable asbestos products were also used in the construction of buildings and could easily be crumbled by hand.
In addition to cement, asbestos was used in other building products such as motor vehicles, including brake pads, brake linings, and clutch facings. Asbestos was also used in textiles such as oven gloves, ironing surfaces, insulating mats, ropes, and fire blankets, as well as in rubber, plastic, and paint products, particularly industrial epoxy paints.
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Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma
Australia has a long history of asbestos importation, use, and mining. It was once considered a "miracle construction material" due to its ideal properties, and Australia had one of the highest consumption rates of asbestos per capita. Asbestos was heavily used in residential buildings, with asbestos cement materials being a popular choice from the mid-1940s until the late 1980s.
Asbestos exposure is directly linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer that arises from the transformation of mesothelial cells lining the body's cavities and internal organs. These carcinogenic mineral fibres can be easily inhaled or ingested, becoming embedded in organ linings and causing irritation and mutation of the mesothelium, resulting in cancerous cells. The average life expectancy of mesothelioma patients is just 12-21 months after diagnosis, with symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.
Jobs in asbestos mining, construction, and product manufacturing have created the greatest risk for asbestos exposure in Australia. The Western Australian town of Wittenoom mined crocidolite (blue) asbestos, one of the most toxic types, from the 1930s until 1966. While blue asbestos was banned in 1967, amosite (brown) asbestos continued to be used until the mid-1980s, and chrysotile (white) asbestos until 2003. Asbestos fibres can become airborne from the breakdown of natural deposits and manufactured products, remaining suspended in the air for long periods and travelling long distances.
Due to Australia's history with asbestos, the country has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, predominantly associated with occupational exposure. However, while occupational asbestos-related disease cases are expected to decline due to the ban on asbestos, the number of non-occupational cases is beginning to rise. Older structures containing asbestos cement and other asbestos products remain a risk, particularly during renovation, remodelling, or demolition projects.
To prevent asbestos exposure in the workplace, employers must provide personal protective equipment such as special masks, gloves, and protective clothing. If exposed to asbestos, individuals should inform their doctor and may require tests to detect cancer early. While smoking does not cause mesothelioma, it raises the risk of lung cancer in those exposed to asbestos.
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Asbestos mining ended in Australia by 1984
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals found in rock formations. Australia has a long history with the importation, use, and mining of asbestos materials. Asbestos was once seen as a miracle construction material due to its properties, and Australia had one of the highest consumption rates of asbestos per capita. Three types of asbestos were mined in Australia: white, blue, and brown asbestos.
Large deposits of asbestos were mined in Western Australia and New South Wales, with smaller operations in Tasmania and South Australia. The Western Australian town of Wittenoom was a significant source of blue asbestos, mining it from the 1930s until 1966. Wittenoom was Australia's only supplier of blue asbestos during the 1950s and early 1960s. The mine was eventually shut down due to unprofitability and growing health concerns.
The health risks associated with asbestos exposure are severe. Asbestos fibres can be easily inhaled or ingested, becoming embedded in organ linings and causing irritation and mutation, leading to cancerous cells and mesothelioma. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with many cases associated with occupational exposure from asbestos miners, manufacturers, and tradespeople. The Bernie Banton Centre at Concord Hospital in Sydney is dedicated to mesothelioma research and treatment.
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Asbestos fibres are invisible and dangerous
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye. When products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. These fibres can become airborne from the breakdown of natural asbestos deposits and manufactured asbestos products. Once airborne, small fibres may remain suspended in the air for long periods and can be carried long distances by wind before settling.
Asbestos fibres can easily be inhaled and then become embedded in organ linings. They do not dissolve in water or move through the soil, and they generally are not broken down into other compounds. Instead, they can remain unchanged over long periods, continuing to pose a risk of inhalation. When asbestos fibres are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, accumulated asbestos fibres can cause tissue inflammation and scarring, affecting breathing and leading to serious health problems.
Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to various dangerous lung conditions, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Asbestosis is pulmonary fibrosis that occurs as a result of asbestos exposure, with a latency period of approximately 15 to 20 years. There is a clear link between the intensity and duration of exposure, with those regularly exposed being most at risk. Those who develop mesothelioma have an average life expectancy of 12-21 months after diagnosis.
Asbestos was once heavily used in Australia, with the country responsible for one of the highest consumption rates of asbestos per capita. Asbestos cement materials were a popular residential building material from the mid-1940s until the late 1980s. Asbestos mining ended in Australia by 1983, and the use of asbestos has since been banned Australia-wide. Despite this, the number of non-occupational cases of asbestos-related disease is beginning to rise, constituting a new wave of asbestos sufferers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, asbestos has been banned in Australia since December 2003.
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals found in rock formations. Asbestos fibres can be mixed with other materials, such as cement, to produce a variety of building products.
Asbestos exposure is directly linked to the development of mesothelioma cancer cells in the lungs, chest wall and abdomen. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world.
If your house was built before 1990, it is likely that it contains asbestos. Asbestos-containing materials can be dangerous to health if they are not properly maintained or removed carefully. You should refer to the Asbestos Awareness website for more information.
