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A History of Asbestos in Australia

by Keith Snyder

Since 2003, the use of asbestos has been banned in Australian construction, in any form. This legislation followed decades of research into the damaging effects of the substance — information which today persuades thousands of homeowners and businesses to pay for professional asbestos removal services. This asbestos, lying dormant in buildings constructed before the law changed, is not technically illegal, but it does still pose a great risk to health.

In light of this, exactly how big is the asbestos problem in Australia today, and how did that problem develop over time?

Early Days

Humans have been using asbestos for literally thousands of years. Archaeologists have uncovered Egyptian mummies wrapped in cloths containing asbestos, and the ancient Romans were said to use asbestos in their linens. It was useful for its high resistance to heat, its flexibility and its durability. However, modern use of asbestos, in Australia in particular, didn't really begin until the late 19th century, when it was first commercially mined in New South Wales.

First Signs of Trouble

Unfortunately, as the industry grew globally, it wasn't long before medical professionals noticed the unusual rates of breathing difficulties among asbestos miners across the world. By the early 20th century, experts were beginning to attribute deaths to the problem, and it was noted that these employees had lower lifespans than their peers. Indeed, insurance companies in the United States began increasing premiums for asbestos miners. However, the industry was so important to the world economy that no protective legislation was yet passed.

Peak Usage

In the mid-20th century, asbestos use was in full swing. According to research by the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI), Australia was the world's leading consumer of asbestos in the 1970s. While still in broad and legal use, it began to decline in popularity from this point on as public awareness of the dangers grew. Eventually, these concerns outweighed the substance's efficiency and low cost, and the Australian government began conducting serious research on the matter in the 1990s.

Final Days

In 2003, Australia joined a number of countries worldwide in finally adopting legislation to prevent the use of asbestos in new constructions. Undoubtedly, this was a step forward in protecting the nation's health. However, many experts are concerned about the continued presence of asbestos in Australian homes and businesses. The ADRI showed that in 2016, people were still getting sick from asbestos exposure at a rate of 2.5 in 100,000 people. While this may sound low, asbestos exposure should really be entirely unheard of in this day and age.

As such, if you have asbestos in your building, whether it's private or commercial, you should certainly consider investing in asbestos disposal. The health issues that can stem from asbestos are not yet consigned to history — even if its use is a thing of the past.

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