After the shock decision handed down by the NSW Land and Environment Court on Thursday which saw Bib Abdallah Hanna avoid a jail sentence after dumping 80 tonnes of asbestos contaminated waste, there have been calls for NSW to strengthen their asbestos laws. NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson is outraged declaring Hanna’s punishment a disgrace and calling on Premier Barry O’Farrell to send a stronger message to those dumping asbestos.

Mr Robertson believes its time for the NSW government to create tougher asbestos laws which ensure that all people dumping asbestos and putting the health of the community at risk are punished. Fines and suspended sentences do not seem to be working as effective deterrents and something needs to be done to get the message across to offenders that asbestos dumping will not be tolerated. Asbestos dumping is a serious crime as exposure to asbestos can put the whole community’s health at risk as it may lead to individuals contracting asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, asbestos related pleural disease or mesothelioma.

New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell has also spoken out about the situation saying he too is stunned that Hanna will not be serving any time in jail for dumping toxic asbestos. He has agreed to consider increasing the punishments for illegal asbestos dumping including prison time. Working to prevent the dumping of asbestos is extremely important to reduce the number of people who could be at risk of contracting asbestos related illnesses as Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in the world. Mesothelioma in Australia is an extremely serious. Unfortunately, mesothelioma in New South Wales has affected many people. The less exposure the better.

Over the past few years, 37 year-old excavator Dibb Hanna has been illegally dumping asbestos across western and southern parts of Sydney. Just last year, Hanna was caught dumping eight truckloads of asbestos on private property on Henry Lawson Drive at picnic point. The damage he caused on that property costed approximately $30,000 to clean up. Prior to that, he was fined $130,000 for illegally dumping asbestos in the western suburbs of Sydney.

Today, the Land and Environment Court found Hanna guilty, once again, for illegally dumping 80 tonnes of material contaminated with asbestos. According to the Court, he failed to comply with a 2011 Court order to not illegally dispose of this toxic material.

What is of great significance is that the asbestos Hanna dumped was ‘friable asbestos’, which is the most potent form of asbestos in that it easily gives off fine particles of dust and fibre. When inhaled, these asbestos particles can become trapped in the human body and can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

Although mesothelioma compensation, asbestos compensation and asbestosis compensation are available in NSW and Victoria, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. That is, Hanna’s actions may well have a detrimental and long-standing threat on the members of the public who become exposed to this asbestos.

In Australia mesothelioma compensation (or asbestos compensation, or asbestosis compensation) is available to those who unfortunately do contract mesothelioma. In particular, NSW and Victoria have legislation that protects those who regrettably suffer from mesothelioma, or other asbestos related diseases, and wish to obtain mesothelioma compensation. Mesothelioma compensation, asbestos compensation and asbestosis compensation in Australia are claims brought about by people who have worked with asbestos and who suffer from mesothelioma.

The NSW Government has released a plan to reduce the number of people in New South Wales being dangerously exposed to asbestos in an effort to lower the number of people tragically dying and suffering from asbestos related diseases. Asbestos related illnesses in New South Wales were responsible for claiming 201 lives in 2011 and this number is expected to grow each year.

Australia is greatly struggling with the dangerous consequences of asbestos exposure as this toxic material was used heavily throughout Australia for decades. When asbestos is disturbed it releases contaminated fibres and if these are inhaled it can lead to people contracting asbestos related illnesses such as asbestosis, asbestos related pleural disease or mesothelioma.

The number of people suffering from asbestos related diseases in NSW is unacceptably high so this plan is calling for the responsible management of asbestos by government, industry and the whole community. The aim of this plan is to reduce the number of people contracting asbestos related illnesses by ensuring its safe management and communicating the risks associated with asbestos.

This plan was formulated by the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA) in discussion with government agencies, local government, research groups, industry and unions. While reducing asbestos disease rates is a major challenge, this plan will help achieve this task and also shows the continued commitment of the NSW government in reducing asbestos related diseases in New South Wales. This task is made even more important because while there is mesothelioma treatment available in Australia, mesothelioma often remains incurable.

New South Wales has always been a progressive state when it comes to asbestos related disease in Australia. For example, in 1989, the New South Wales Dust Diseases Tribunal was set up with a view to allowing residents in New South Wales pursue asbestos claims quickly and easily. Since this time, mesothelioma claims in New South Wales and asbestosis claims in New South Wales have been made most quickly. It is a testament to New South Wales that such legislation remains today.

Residents of various Victorian towns are banding together in order to clean up the trail of mess left behind by various tornadoes. In particular, the towns of Mulwala, Yarrawonga, Bundalong, Koonoomoo and Rutherglen were the most affected by these tornadoes.

Residents have begun the clean-up by clearing away debris, fixing fences and sheets and replacing lost roofs and walls. There is also rubbish, shattered glass and fallen trees littered across streets that needs attending to. However, the most pressing and dangerous issue by far is asbestos.

Since most of the houses in these areas were built before or during 1970s, it is likely that many of them contain asbestos. During that time, asbestos proved to be a very popular source amongst home constructors and builders, as it was fire resistant, water resistant and extremely versatile. Amongst other places, asbestos was found in metal sheeting at Denison County Caravan Park, Mulwala, NSW.

Asbestos expert removers, fire and rescue crews have conducted reports and assessments on the areas that are known to contain asbestos or asbestos fibres. As an extra safety precaution, crews identified buildings that were likely to contain asbestos, and closed off these areas to members of the public. Fire and Rescue NSW member Jeremy Stubbs has stated that they are not letting anybody touch anything or be in close proximity to the sites until the asbestos has been safely removed. The main priority at the moment is to “move to recovery phase and make things safe.”

Asbestos must be removed with care and caution, as asbestos fibres can be detrimental to the human health when inhaled. It can lead to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer.

In Australia mesothelioma compensation (or asbestos compensation in Australia, or asbestosis compensation in Australia) is available to those who unfortunately do contract mesothelioma. There have been incidences of those undertaking clean up work, including firefighters, developing asbestos related conditions, following relatively low exposure to asbestos in Australia.