A recent asbestos management report produced by the South Australian Government has revealed the existence of asbestos in a number of public facilities.

273 sites in total were identified as containing asbestos, a dangerous substance that can cause mesothelioma.

The report identified asbestos at 143 sites within the Education Department, which includes schools. Of these, two required urgent removal of the asbestos, while the others required removal as soon as practicable.

The Health department was discovered to contain 37 sites including hospitals, while the Planning department had 93 sites, including sites housing teachers, police officers and other government employees.

The State Government has refused to disclose the locations of the affected sites due to privacy reasons and fears of heightened security risks.

The Manly Daily, a suburban New South Wales newspaper, recently reported a pile of asbestos cement sheets were found at a local oval in the Manly district.

The local Council removed the asbestos sheets from the site and declared the area safe.

Locals remained concerned about illegal dumping of asbestos. Unfortunately, the asbestos condition mesothelioma can be caused as a result of the inhalation of relatively small amounts of asbestos. Thus it is important to treat all asbestos as dangerous.

Throughout Australia, there are fines for the dumping of asbestos.

A 2012 British study found those who have been exposed to asbestos are more likely to suffer strokes and heart disease.

The finding was that asbestos was an “inflammatory agent” and there was evidence this increased mortality.

The study was reported in the UK Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

The Australian compensation fund for persons suffering asbestos conditions, including mesothelioma, set up by James Hardie has reimbursed the NSW government the moneys loaned by it.

As a result of the GFC, the profits of James Haride, which were linked to payments they are to make into the compensation fund, were low so the James Hardie fund needed to borrow some money from the New South Wales Government.

As a result of a successful court case in respect to tax liabilities, the James Hardie fund has been able to repay the moneys they borrowed from NSW.

On 22 May 2012, the Australian newspaper reported that so far, James Hardie has contributed about $556m to the asbestos compensation fund.

Asbestos compensation claims in Australia, such as court claims involving the asbestos condition malignant mesothelioma, are expected to continue for decades.