Asbestos danger in NSW

The asbestos threat continues for those people that are returning to what is left of their properties after they have been damaged by fires and floods.

One major fear in New South Wales is that asbestos fibres in homes which were destroyed by the Warrumbungle fire have already contaminated the area. The Warrumbungle Shire is currently working on an asbestos management plan after their first assessment showed that 31 homes out of 36 damaged in the fire contained asbestos.

Residents are being seriously warned not to forget about the dangerous possibility of being exposed to asbestos when going through what remains of their homes and possessions. They are being advised to wear masks and disposable suits before handling any objects.

These precautions are all necessary as exposure to asbestos can lead to an individual contracting an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. As it is often the case that buildings constructed before the mid 1980s contain asbestos, it is expected that future natural disasters will see asbestos fibres be released again.

For those that do contract asbestos related diseases there is legislation in place in some Australian states including NSW and Victoria to help them pursue an asbestos compensation claim in Australia. These claims include both asbestosis compensation and mesothelioma compensation.

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