Australia still has a long way to go before it’s asbestos-free, with asbestos being found consistently across the country. Only last week, locals in Sorell, Tasmania experienced a panic when large amounts of asbestos were found in the foundations of a girl’s guide hall.
The hall, which was demolished to build new council chambers, contained asbestos that was undetected during the demolition, and is currently under investigation by Workplace Standards Tasmania as a result.
The ABC reported that locals who lived at the Tasmanian property are considering moving away for fear of being exposed to the toxic asbestos and developing an asbestos related illness such as asbestosis or the cancer mesothelioma.
While the hall was cleared for asbestos when it was erected in 1973, asbestos was contained below the ground, and was only disturbed during the demolition.
According to the ABC, the Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation said that this experience shows that asbestos removalists and environmental hygienists need to check below and around buildings for asbestos, rather than just inside them. Mesothelioma in Tasmania is a problem, just like in other Australian states. Australia has one of the highest rates of malignant mesothelioma in the world on a per capita basis.
