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.

The road that runs through Barraba’s Woodsreef asbestos mine in NSW has been causing asbestos concerns among the community and Council. Tamworth Regional Council is now pushing for the NSW Government to take responsibility for the road.

A road closure application has already been made to close part of the road due to health and safety concerns and a detailed report of this application was presented at the Council’s monthly meeting. Tamworth Regional Council has spoken out saying the mine and any road that runs through it is a concern of the New South Wales state government as the problem is asbestos and that is their responsibility.

Tamworth Council has unanimously voted to be removed as Roads Authority and believe that Council should address the health risk associated with the road.

Any asbestos exposure is concerning since even small amounts of asbestos can lead to the development of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma in Australia has affected many people and it is expected that many Australians in the future will be diagnosed with this asbestos related condition and others such as asbestosis and asbestos related pleural disease.

For decades the town of Terowie in South Australia has been used as an asbestos dumping ground. However, this is not the result of illegal dumping – the town is the property of the South Australian Government. Despite this, there is no fencing, no warning signs and the Government seems to be in no rush to clear the asbestos from the area even with concerns that asbestos may make its way into a nearby playground and school.

The asbestos is located down at the southern rail yards where the ground is covered with broken pieces of asbestos. A local resident has suggested the contamination covers up to three kilometres. These broken asbestos pieces and old asbestos roof sheeting now cover ground close to a popular walking trail and locals fear that these bits of asbestos are so tiny that people will easily walk over them without realizing their health may be in danger.

Terowie has been described as a forgotten town since the train station was abandon and dismantled in the 1970s leaving behind the asbestos debris that still remains there today.

Locals have been complaining about the asbestos contamination in Terowie for years and the State Government has failed to resolve this situation. Considering Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in the world and the number of new mesothelioma cases is expected to rise, the Government should be working toward ridding Terowie of all toxic asbestos.

For those people who have unfortunately contracted an asbestos related disease there is legislation in South Australia to assist those with an asbestos condition to make a claim. Asbestos compensation in South Australia, including mesothelioma claims in South Australia, are assisted by such specific South Australian legislation.