Despite cyclone alerts being cancelled last week, a monster storm still ripped through Western Australia’s Pilbara region resulting in major flooding and damage to buildings. The effects of the storm were felt heavily in the little town of Pardoo.

Fears have now turned to those residents starting to repair and clean up their damaged properties as these people could be at risk of being exposed to toxic asbestos fibres. This asbestos risk is very real as before the mid 1980s, asbestos was used widely as a building material all throughout this West Australian region. Residents have been warned that if their properties were built before then there is a high chance their properties contain asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos is a major health concern as even minimal exposure can see individuals contract an asbestos related disease such mesothelioma. Mesothelioma in Australia and in particular mesothelioma in West Australia have affected many people in the past, and will continue to affect many people in the future.

Former mining town Wittenoon in Western Australia is finally being shut down by the West Australian government. It was known as a “mesothelioma hotspot” as more than two thousand of its residents have died from mesothelioma or some other asbestos related disease. While mesothelioma compensation is available in Australia, a treatment for the deadly disease is not.
Throughout the 1950s, Wittenoom attracted thousands of mine workers and their families to its asbestos mine.
Although the asbestos mine was closed in 1966, the deadly legacy of this mine is still perpetuating within the society. Over the past couple of months, the rate of residents contacting mesothelioma was steadily increasing.
Today, final steps are being taken by the West Australian Government to shut down the town of Wittenoom altogether. The Department of Regional Development and Lands will then commence the removal of asbestos. Plans have been made to demolish all building constructions and mining equipment, or any other remains that may have been contaminated by asbestos. The government also plans to re-route the main road away from the toxic town.
Asbestos releases fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres. The inhalation of asbestos fibres can subsequently lead to asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

In Australia mesothelioma compensation (or asbestos compensation, or asbestosis compensation) is available to those who unfortunately do contract mesothelioma. Asbestos compensation in West Australia is unfortunately a regular occurrence due to the devastating effects of Wittenoon exposure and other asbestos exposure in West Australia.

On Wednesday 6 March 2013, ACT Health conducted an air-monitoring test at Canberra Hospital as part of standard safety measures associated with reconstruction works taking place within the building. Old vinyl adhesives on level eight of the building, which contained bonded asbestos fibres, were being removed for the safety and protection of the public and staff.

The recent air monitoring revealed that levels seven and nine of the building contained an unknown airborne fibre. ACT Health is concerned that this fibre may be airborne asbestos fibres, which may pose a detrimental threat to the health of staff, patients and visitors.

Despite this concern, Charles Guest, ACT Health Public Health physician, has stated that the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres was extremely unlikely and remote. The hospital says that the removal of the old vinyl adhesives were undertaken with great care and precaution by experienced and certified asbestos removers. Further, a multitude of factors could have contributed to the airborne fibre readings; for example, it may be the dust from other construction work taking place within the building, or clothing fibres.

The nature of these airborne fibres will be revealed in approximately twenty-four hours. Although it has not been confirmed that these fibres are a threat to human health, Dr Guest suggests that people with health concerns should consult their general practitioner as a precautionary measure.

Asbestos has been said to be a constant threat in Canberra as a result of poor building practices from the past. Despite the fact that building contractors are dealing with asbestos responsibly, it continues to remain a potential threat to citizens in the area. Dean Hall, secretary for Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union ACT, has stated that concerns regarding asbestos are raised on a weekly basis.

Asbestos releases detrimental fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres. The inhalation of asbestos fibres can subsequently lead to asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Although mesothelioma treatment and mesothelioma compensation in the Australian Capital Territory is available, mesothelioma itself is not curable.

In Australia mesothelioma compensation (or asbestos compensation, or asbestosis compensation) is available to those who unfortunately do contract asbestos conditions.

Two abandoned asbestos buildings in Hukisson, New South Wales, are scheduled to be demolished this week after almost three years of campaigning to remove the buildings by local residents. The amount of time it has taken to remove these buildings contrasts hugely with the quick response seen when asbestos dangers recently developed in Kiama after what was described as a mini tornado hit.

There is no fencing around the buildings to keep vandals and the public out of these asbestos contaminated buildings. There is only an asbestos warning sign at the front of the site. Shoalhaven City Council expects the site to be cleared of all asbestos by Friday and have explained the reason why it has taken so long to resolve this asbestos concern is due to changes in ownership and the present owners living overseas.

The amount of time it has taken for this issue to resolve and the lack of security around the two asbestos contaminated buildings is a concern. This is because even minimal exposure to asbestos can lead persons contracting an asbestos related disease such mesothelioma or asbestos related pleural disease.

Unfortunately, there are many cases of persons in NSW developing asbestos related conditions such as mesothelioma following relatively small amounts of asbestos exposure.