National Asbestos Awareness Month started on the first of November, and safety agencies across the state are urging communities to plan ahead and ensure their own safety when it comes to renovations, because asbestos is still found in many Australian homes.
One in three Australian homes built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos. It means that Aussies undertaking home improvements need to be aware of the risks, and always book a licenced asbestos professional to test the property before beginning any work.
People are also warned that there are strict safety legislations in place regarding the handling, removal and disposal of asbestos, with illegal dumping or incorrect disposal of the material attracting high penalties.
Many local councils offer low-cost asbestos test kits which can assist homeowners in determining if their property has asbestos present before undertaking major work.
“As a rule, if your home was built or renovated before the 1990s, you should assume there may be asbestos present and take special precautions,” one building and environmental health manager explained.
“We want the community to stay safe and be aware of the risks and know what to do in order to identify it and remove it properly.”