Queensland Health has warned people returning to their homes after the floods to be aware of the possible risk of being exposed to asbestos. Homes that were built earlier than the mid 1980s may contain toxic asbestos as it was a common building material prior to this time.
These precautions are extremely important as even minimal exposure to asbestos can lead to a person contracting an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma. Residents must be aware of the risks associated with asbestos so they are cautious when returning to their homes, especially because the number people diagnosed with mesothelioma is expected to rise.
Unfortunately, many people from Queensland and other states in Australia have developed asbestos related conditions such as mesothelioma in the past following relatively short periods of asbestos exposure
