Residents in Logan City, Queensland, may have been exposed to asbestos and asbestos fibres for four days before it was removed by Logan City Council. In fact, this is not the first time that residents may have been exposed to asbestos; it has been asserted that the illegal dumping of broken sheets containing asbestos fibres occur up to two times per month.
It must be noted that if the sheets were intact and undisturbed, then the residents would not have to worry about contracting asbestos related diseases. What should be of concern to the residents and Logan City Council is that the sheets were damaged and shattered; this ultimately could result in asbestos fibres becoming airborne, thereby becoming a threat to the health of locals. Airborne asbestos fibres, once inhaled or ingested, can lead to serious asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma or asbestos related pleural disease.
Found amongst the 3m long and 2m wide pile of sheets was also protective suits and masks. This suggests that the person who took to this illegal dumping was aware of the threat that asbestos poses to society and our health.
Unfortunately, many cases of mesothelioma in Australia and asbestosis in Australia are diagnosed each year. Australia has one of the highest incidences of mesothelioma in the world. Asbestos related conditions have affected many residents of Queensland. Indeed, specific legislation assists mesothelioma compensation claims in Queensland and asbestos compensation claims in Queensland.
