It was reported earlier this month that eight power substations on the Central Coast contain hazardous levels of asbestos. These claims have been refuted by electricity distributor Ausgrid. The report identified power stations in NSW containing exposed asbestos and described them as being in a “poor” condition.

Airborne asbestos fibres, when inhaled, can lead to asbestos-related conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Due to the latency period between exposure to asbestos and contraction of an asbestos-related condition, the hazard can be difficult to identify.

The information used by the New South Wales Electrical Trades Union was apparently sourced from Ausgrid’s own report on NSW substations on the central Coast.

Trevor Armstrong, CEO of Ausgrid, claims that the information used in the report identifying the asbestos danger was published over ten years ago. Says Armstrong, “Ausgrid took the safe steps needed to clean any asbestos material that was deemed a health risk”.

He further dismisses asbestos claims saying, “The material published in media reports was from 2002. Over the past 12 months independent hygienist reports have been undertaken showing the substations are safe.”.

Armstrong pointed to two examples used in the report, Wyong and Charmhaven, which were constructed in 2001 without asbestos. Subsequent audits in 2009 and 2012 confirmed that there was no asbestos present.

The six other substations were inspected for friable asbestos by an independent professional hygienist within the last 12 months. No friable asbestos was found in any of the eight identified substations in NSW.

One station however did have a broken fibro roof, potentially exposing workers to asbestos. However the asbestos has been removed. “Ausgrid has been working for more than 10 years to identify the areas where asbestos was present … and to safely remove it,” says Armstrong.

Mesothelioma compensation is available in NSW, Victoria and South Australia under legislation allowing those suffering from asbestos-related conditions to pursue an asbestos compensation claim. Power station workers in the past have made such claims.

Anti-asbestos campaigner Larry Stoffman is travelling around Australia as part of asbestos awareness week thanking unions for their help and encouraging them not to stop fighting the battle against asbestos. He spoke out at the Unions NSW forum in Sydney saying that unless the asbestos industry is shut down worldwide, masses of workers will become victims of asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Unions NSW used the forum as a chance to encourage the Australian government to place pressure on Canada to include asbestos in the Rotterdam Convention as they are the only G8 country who has objected to do so. Mr Stoffman is aiming to encourage Australia and Canada to financially assist developing regions to support them becoming asbestos free and help them deal with the health consequences that come from asbestos use.

The shutting down of the asbestos industry worldwide would contribute to creating an asbestos free Australia. This would be an important step given the asbestos cancer mesothelioma is expected to peak within the next decade. Luckily legislation is in place in Australian states, including South Australia and Victoria, to assist those individuals with an asbestos compensation claim, including asbestosis compensation and mesothelioma compensation in Australia.

Funds have been granted through the Asbestos Innovation Fund to researchers to assist those people suffering from asbestos related diseases. Included in those selected were researchers from Queensland Mesothelioma Project, Southern Cross University and the University of Queensland.

Of the funds, $150,000 was granted to Dr Kimberly Stannard from the Queensland Mesothelioma Project to test a new mesothelioma treatment regime. $96,015 was given to Professor Rick van der Zwan from the Southern Cross University to investigate the changes a person living with an asbestos related illness including asbestosis and mesothelioma goes through. A further $45,800 was awarded to Professor Judith Bauer from University of Queensland to better understand the nutritional needs of people with mesothelioma.

While these costs are high, Australian Federal Minister Bill Shorten has assured the public that the cost of doing nothing would be much higher. This is the case because mesothelioma is expected to claim the lives of more Australians than the First World War.

Fortunately Australian states including NSW, South Australia and Victoria have legislation in place to assist those people needing to pursue an asbestos compensation claim, including both asbestosis compensation in Australia and mesothelioma compensation in Australia.

Tenterfield shire council in NSW has joined the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) in promoting National Asbestos Awareness Week which runs from the 26th to the 30th November. This commitment from this New South Wales council has come after they have been subject to many asbestos issues after the fire in January at Sunnyside Loop Waste Transfer Station and the finding of asbestos in mulch at the beginning of the year.

Tenterfield shire council is almost finished removing the asbestos contaminated mulch from 17 properties in the area which had apparently been taken from the transfer station. Thus they are extremely happy to be involved in Asbestos Awareness Week which is aimed at increasing the community’s knowledge of the risks associated with asbestos.

“Don’t play Renovation Roulette!” is the message being sent to all Australians this week in an attempt to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure for those undertaking renovations. Home renovators are said to be the third wave of people affected by asbestos related diseases including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Australians must learn how to recognize asbestos and manage it in a way that will protect themselves and their families from contracting mesothelioma which is expected to be on the rise in Australia.