November 22 - 28 is National Asbestos Awareness Week, and the community is being encouraged to think twice about asbestos.
The aim of National Asbestos Awareness Week is to raise awareness among the public and key trades about the health risks associated with the exposure to asbestos fibres, where asbestos products can be found, and prompt behavioural change, ie contacting a licensed asbestos professional where needed.
Did you know that asbestos is still present in millions of homes, as well as public and commercial buildings across Australia?
In homes built before 1990, asbestos can still be found anywhere and this affects one in three homes nationwide.
Asbestos cement was a commonly used building material in the 1970s used in materials including roofing, fencing, exterior wall cladding, backing material on floor tiles and vinyl flooring, and thermal boards around fireplaces.
Asbestos cement was phased out from 1981 with the manufacturing of asbestos ceasing in 1987.
More information about asbestos can be found at www.mandurah.wa.gov.au
