Most people think that death from contact with asbestos only happens to those who handled asbestos products when they were legal years ago. The recent floods and Cyclone Yasi have opened a new chapter in asbestos contamination - and it is possible that these events will sharply increase the death toll.
Most older houses in Australia contain asbestos sheeting - and this is perfectly safe unless it is disturbed. The destruction caused by Yasi has spread asbestos sheeting over wide areas and those cleaning up the mess are in danger. At the same time, those trying to make homes habitable after the floods may unknowingly expose themselves to asbestos as they remove saturated wall lining and fittings.
The main danger will come long after the floods and rain that accompanied Yasi. Wet asbestos sheeting is fairly safe. It becomes dangerous when it dries out and allows tiny fibres to escape - and get into the lungs of cleanup crews and residents.
Unfortunately many people will be desperate to get repairs under way and many will ignore government warnings - and will ignore restrictions on cleaning up home sites. Then there is the question of children ? How many cleanups will be a family affair ?
Probably the most useful thing the government can do at this stage would be to promote an understanding of the danger involved using the media to get the message across - and to implore those doing cleanup work to make sure asbestos sheet material is kept wet as it is bagged for removal.
If nothing is done, then twenty or so years down the track we will see a blip on the health statistics that can be directly traced to the calamities of 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment