An asbestos information house on wheels visited Eden on Friday to educate local residents on the potentially deadly loose-fill fibres.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than one in three Australian homes contain asbestos, which is commonly found in brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad homes built or renovated before 1987.
While most people associate asbestos with roof cavities, the caravan-sized model home known as ‘Betty’ shows that it can be found all over the home in areas including fibro sheeting, carpet underlay, piping, sheeting under floor tiles and on pipes.
“Our major message is to visit asbestosawareness.com.au and take the 20-point safety check,” Betty volunteer Geoff Wicks said.
“Anything built or renovated before 1987 is likely to have asbestos, and it could be anywhere in the house, so if you think you may have it, the website is a good place to start.”
Mr Wicks said recent publicity about a product known as Mr Fluffy, which is known to have been used in south-east NSW, has prompted greater awareness of the asbestos in the area.
Since WorkCover NSW announced free testing and risk assessments for homeowners who believe they may be affected, Bega Valley Shire Council says 18 residents have made contact expressing concerns.
Of these, 15 had registered with the authority, and as of mid-November, nine had already been given the all-clear.
WorkCover NSW district coordinator Donna Salway encouraged anyone with concerns to follow those residents’ lead.
“If you’re in doubt, act as if there is asbestos there,” she said.
“The best thing you can do is 13 10 50 and ask about the free testing.
“While it’s intact, asbestos is a fairly safe product – it’s when it gets broken up and becomes airborne that it becomes dangerous.
“If you believe you have asbestos in your home, don’t go breaking bits of it off and taking samples – give us a call and leave it for the professionals to come and look at.”
The Eden visit coincided with National Asbestos Awareness Month, and also as a launch event for Council’s new asbestos policy.
Council environmental health officer Glen Harper said raising awareness is the key.
“We’ve been in contact with local high schools, and we’re going to be working with them to make them aware of asbestos safety,” he said.
“We’re particularly interested in working with construction classes, which we’ll be doing at Eden Marine High today [last Friday] to give them some knowledge of it.
“The idea is that we’ll have the younger tradies coming through with knowledge they can then pass on to some of the older guys.”
Mr Harper also answered questions from homeowners and tradespeople at recent displays in Merimbula and Bega, as well as at tradies’ barbecues at local Mitre 10 stores.
Anyone who believes their property may contain asbestos is urged to call WorkCover on 13 10 50 or Bega Valley Shire Council on 6499 2222.
Do not attempt to remove or dispose of asbestos without seeking professional help.