The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute and the Asbestos Education Committee, in conjunction with lifestyle television presenters such as Don Bourke, have launched Asbestos Awareness Week. Karen Banton, widow of campaigner Bernie Banton, kicked off Asbestos Awareness Week yesterday in Hobart, urging individuals to identify the presence of asbestos in their homes.
Australia leads the world in rates of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, and was one of the largest per-capita consumers of asbestos. It is estimated that three million homes in Australia still contain asbestos, and that by 2020, the number of fatalities from asbestos-related conditions will exceed the death toll from World War 1.
Rates of mesothelioma contraction rose between 2005 and 2008 due to exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations. Asbestos poses a serious threat to home renovators due to the latency period between exposure and contraction of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions.
Asbestos Awareness Week emphasizes that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, nor are there any known cures to asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.
The Asbestos Awareness Ambassadors will begin the initiative with a model asbestos-education home; the first of its kind in Australia. ‘Betty –The ADRI House’ seeks to educate Australians about the dangers of asbestos when renovating or maintaining homes and featured information on where asbestos may be present in the home.
Mesothelioma compensation is available in NSW, Victoria and South Australia under specific legislation allowing those suffering from asbestos-related conditions to pursue an asbestos compensation claims in Australia.
