Australian shows such as The Block and Better Homes and Gardens are being blamed for fuelling the new do-it-yourself obsession that is believed to be causing the next wave of asbestos victims. A tragic result of this new trend is the increasing number of women renovators being diagnosed with mesothelioma and this figure is only expected to rise within the next 40 years.

While these shows have created the DIY craze, they have failed to warn the public that asbestos is likely to be present in most homes built before the early 1980s. This new craze has seen mesothelioma move away from mainly affecting asbestos miners and tradesman as it has in the past. Now, home renovators are at a risk of contracting asbestos related diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis, the new asbestos campaign aims to focus on these dangers.

Australia suffers from one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world as a result of being a heavy user of asbestos before its nationwide ban in December 2003. As a result many Australian States including NSW, Victoria and South Australia have legislation in place to assist those perusing an asbestos compensation claim including both asbestosis compensation in Australia and mesothelioma compensation in Australia. The Sydney Opera House was illuminated blue on the 26th November to honour the many victims of asbestos as part of National Asbestos Awareness Week.

Asbestos has struck a new wave of victims in Australia, as unsuspecting home renovators are exposed to airborne fibres known to cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos is found in most Australian homes built prior to 1980, and asbestos fibres can be deadly if inhaled.

Seeking to raise awareness for local councils the NSW state government has compiled a policy on the best method for disposing of asbestos.

Don Page, New South Wales Minster for Local Government, launched a new Model Asbestos Policy for local councils on Monday. The guidelines place an emphasis on safe asbestos removal in NSW, and advises all home renovators to leave asbestos disposal to the experts to minimise the risk of mesothelioma.

The policy also highlights the role councils should play in waste disposal, emergency responses and raising awareness about the threat posed by asbestos.

It is estimated that in Australia, there will be 25,000 deaths from asbestos-related diseases over the next 40 years in addition to the 4,700 deaths that have occurred due to mesothelioma since the late 1980’s.

Major contributor to the policy, Dr Nico van Zandwijk estimate that Australia has enough asbestos waste to fill 300,000 jumbo jets.

Mesothelioma compensation in NSW highlights the multiple people suffering asbestos conditions in New South Wales. Similar statistics are in other states, such as Victoria and South Australia.

The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute and the Asbestos Education Committee, in conjunction with lifestyle television presenters such as Don Bourke, have launched Asbestos Awareness Week. Karen Banton, widow of campaigner Bernie Banton, kicked off Asbestos Awareness Week yesterday in Hobart, urging individuals to identify the presence of asbestos in their homes.

Australia leads the world in rates of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, and was one of the largest per-capita consumers of asbestos. It is estimated that three million homes in Australia still contain asbestos, and that by 2020, the number of fatalities from asbestos-related conditions will exceed the death toll from World War 1.

Rates of mesothelioma contraction rose between 2005 and 2008 due to exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations. Asbestos poses a serious threat to home renovators due to the latency period between exposure and contraction of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions.

Asbestos Awareness Week emphasizes that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, nor are there any known cures to asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.

The Asbestos Awareness Ambassadors will begin the initiative with a model asbestos-education home; the first of its kind in Australia. ‘Betty –The ADRI House’ seeks to educate Australians about the dangers of asbestos when renovating or maintaining homes and featured information on where asbestos may be present in the home.

Mesothelioma compensation is available in NSW, Victoria and South Australia under specific legislation allowing those suffering from asbestos-related conditions to pursue an asbestos compensation claims in Australia.

Hobart has faced a major asbestos scare as hundreds of broken asbestos pieces have been found scatted all over the Peter Murrell Reserve in Howden, Tasmaina. Apparently blue asbestos was among what was found. This asbestos is the most dangerous type of asbestos to human’s health. Inhaling even small amounts of asbestos fibres can lead to somebody developing an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma.

People live and walk their dogs around this reserve and the lack of warning signs or barriers to ensure the public isn’t exposed to asbestos increases the risk of such persons contracting mesothelioma. Parks and Wildlife Services have committed to remove asbestos as it is discovered and reported by the community.

An investigation and clean up is really needed in order to ensure there is no asbestos present in this reserve. Asbestos removal is extremely important in removing the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos conditions such as asbestosis. Mesothelioma is expected to peak over the next decade. Legislation has been introduced in Australian States such as NSW and Victoria to assist those people struggling with asbestos conditions to pursue an asbestos compensation claim in Australia, including both a mesothelioma compensation in Australia and asbestosis compensation claims in Australia.