Asbestos has once again put Australians at risk, this time resulting in a police force in Perth relocating.
Like millions of old Australian homes and buildings, the Fremantle Police Complex in Western Australia contains asbestos, a known carcinogen which, if inhaled, can cause asbestos related diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Due to the health risks that are associated with asbestos disturbance, Australian staff at the Perth station have been forced to relocate for proposed air conditioning replacement, as the roof where the air ducts are contained is contains asbestos.
According to the Herald Sun, police services will not be disrupted during the construction work.
Safety measure such as these are extremely important, as Australia currently has one of the highest incidences of mesothelioma despite the official ban of asbestos use Australia-wide in 2004. This is because Australia was the highest user of asbestos per capita between around 1950 and 1980.
As such, many Australian states including NSW, Victoria and South Australia have introduced legislation to assist those suffering asbestos conditions pursue an asbestos compensation claim, such as a mesothelioma compensation claim in Australia.
