The Pakistan national legislature has decided it’s time to consider placing a ban on asbestos throughout the country due to its link to dangerous diseases and cancer.

Asbestos is extensively used throughout Pakistan as the country relies on the toxic material for the manufacture of a number of things including gaskets, roof coating and clothing.

Because of the heavy use of asbestos in Pakistan, there is a major concern that cancers such as mesothelioma will increase among industrial workers.

If Pakistan decides to ban asbestos they will be joining some 55 countries who have already placed a ban on the import of asbestos. Among these are Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Inhaling asbestos is extremely dangerous as it can lead to an individual contracting a fatal disease such as asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma. Despite these health risks being internationally recognized, like Pakistan, both the United States and Canada have not completely banned asbestos.

However in Australia there is legislation in place to assist people in pursuing an asbestos compensation claims in Australia including both asbestosis compensation claims in Australia and mesothelioma compensation in Australia.

In August 2012 the City of Melville, West Australia, made a decision to close and fence off the Ogilvie Road Park in Mt Pleasant, Western Australia after asbestos was found at the park by the Health Department.

Four months after being closed the park has now been re-opened to the public with it being completely cleared of asbestos on 27 December 2012.

Although the Melville council was aware that the asbestos was not a major problem they believed it was important to perform a careful investigation of the park to ensure it was safe for the public.

The council was right to do so as there is no safe asbestos level and even minimal exposure can lead to an individual contracting an asbestos related illness such including pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma in Australia is a real problem, with Australia having one of the largest case load of mesothelioma per head of population. There are many people diagnosed with asbestos conditions in Australia each year.

Although residents of Tasmania may be keen to check what remains after the 2013 bush fire catastrophe for some this may not be possible. As Australia knows from previous bushfire incidents in Victoria, the worst is not always over after the fires stop burning.

One major health concern these bushfires leave behind is exposure to asbestos fibres, this health risk could keep Tasmanian residents away from there homes or what is left of them for weeks. This is because even minimal exposure to asbestos can cause serious asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma.

Efforts have already begun in Tasmania to resolve the asbestos risks with Workplace Standards starting to formulate a clean up plan and the Department of Health and Human Services working on providing protective clothing to residents so they can visit their homes.

If not dealt with correctly this incident could contribute to Australia’s already existing battle with asbestos related illnesses. As a response to this battle Australians are now more aware about the dangers of asbestos. Such knowledge has occurred for a variety of reasons, including asbestos claims in Australia.

Bushfires that have swept through the Tasmanian town of Dunalley in January 2013 have left potentially deadly asbestos material exposed in both residential and community areas.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the devastated area today, including a visit to Dunalley Primary School. The school has been reduced to a heap of twisted metal and shattered asbestos sheeting, and Gillard has today made a commitment to rebuild this local amenity.

Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos fibres can lead to the onset of potentially fatal conditions such as asbestosis. Small amounts of exposure to asbestos can lead to the condition of malignant mesothelioma.

It is not unusual that asbestos has been found in Tasmania in this form. Asbestos is typically found in all residential buildings constructed prior to about the mid 1980s. The hazardous nature of asbestos necessitates its swift, expert removal when exposure to its dusts may occur.

Tasmanian locals are calling for a swift removal of the deadly asbestos, some reporting that asbestos was found in 8 out of 10 devastated homes in their vicinity. Clean up initiatives should be prioritized to prevent the spread of asbestos and minimise potential exposure to it.

Asbestos compensation legislation in Australia has been introduced into Tasmania and states such as NSW, Victoria and South Australia, allowing those who contract an asbestos-related condition to pursue an asbestosis claim or mesothelioma claim.