The push against illegal asbestos disposal in New South Wales has heightened following a rise in illegal dumping of asbestos in communities throughout Sydney. On 29 May 2013, NSW Environment Minister, Robyn Parker proposed the introduction of a new law which could see illegal dumpers sentenced to jail for a maximum of 2 years.
Whilst stricter penalties can be expected to protect communities from exposure to asbestos, Brian Seidler, Executive Director of the Master Builders Australia, argues that deterrence from illegal dumping will only be achieved by reducing the cost of legal asbestos disposal. Currently in New South Wales, the charge on legal asbestos disposal is $395 per tonne, being quadruple the price of regular waste disposal. On the other hand, Val Southam, CEO of Waste Management Association of Australia, has put forward that these costs are necessary for the proper disposal of asbestos.
In response to this, a new scheme planned by the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Association (HACA) providing rebates for disposal of household quantities of asbestos, pointing towards a solution.
Asbestos is a carcinogenic material that has been commonly used in building materials. Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis and other types of cancer. With these proposals at hand, there is optimism for the protection of communities against exposure to asbestos. Many Australians have been diagnosed with asbestos conditions in the past, such as mesothelioma in Australia, asbestosis in Australia, and asbestos related pleural disease in Australia. Hopefully, the incidence of asbestos related conditions in Australia will decrease in the future if further preventative measures are taken.
