Asbestos was banned in Australia because of its effect on health. The danger comes from its fibres: when material containing asbestos is disturbed, fibres can be released into the air and inhaled, where they can cause damage that may not show for decades.
Asbestos fibres are microscopic and sharp. When inhaled, they can lodge in lung tissue and cause scarring and inflammation over time. Because the effects build slowly, symptoms often appear long after the exposure happened — which is why prevention and safe handling matter so much.
Long-term asbestos exposure is associated with serious respiratory diseases, including asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, and mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen). The risk rises with the amount and duration of exposure.
Historically, those most exposed worked directly with asbestos — in mining, manufacturing and trades. Today the risk is more often to homeowners, renovators and tradespeople who disturb asbestos in older buildings without knowing it's there. Testing before you renovate is the simplest way to protect yourself and your family.
Call 1300 019 657, 7 days a week, or book an inspection and we'll give you a clear answer.
