When Did Australia Ban Asbestos?
The Australian Government started to take action on asbestos in 1988, but it wasn’t until 2003 that the country finally imposed a complete ban on all forms of asbestos and its products. This ban was announced by then Prime Minister John Howard and covered both the importation and manufacturing of any type of asbestos-containing material.
Despite this nationwide ban, Australia continues to be impacted by the effects of asbestos on the environment. As many buildings built before 2003 may have been constructed with materials containing asbestos, people need to take precautions and carefully manage any disturbances or renovations in those areas.
Australia’s ban on asbestos is the latest among a series of initiatives taken since the 1980s. In the 80s, Australia implemented several measures to limit the use and exposure to asbestos to protect employees from occupational health hazards. This included more stringent regulations on product labelling, as well as monitoring and enforcement activities.
In 2003, further measures were implemented by the Commonwealth government that provided more protection for people against occupational asbestos hazards. This included compulsory licensing of workers, restrictions on the importation and supply of asbestos-containing materials, and tighter measures on workplace monitoring and enforcement.
In 2004, Australia adopted a completely phasic ban on asbestos. This meant that all forms of commercial use of asbestos were huay-online officially prohibited nationwide. The ban was also accompanied by a publicity campaign designed to raise public awareness of the dangers associated with asbestos and to reduce its use in Australian construction projects.
Since the 2004 ban, Australia has continued to take measures towards eliminating any remaining asbestos risk in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces. This includes stricter regulations on product labelling and better enforcement and monitoring of construction sites to ensure no new asbestos materials are used.
Why You Should Remove Asbestos
So, why is this once ubiquitous building material now so shunned? The main reason is that exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to serious lung diseases and cancers, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause scarring in the lungs and this, over time, can lead to more serious health problems such as mesothelioma (a form of cancer) and asbestosis (a type of fibrosis). Asbestos exposure can also increase the risk of developing other types of cancers like laryngeal and ovarian cancer.
As a result, asbestos removal is essential for reducing the risk of people being exposed to this dangerous material. In Australia, it’s important to have your property checked for asbestos before you carry out any renovation or demolition work as this could release harmful fibres into the air. If asbestos is found on your property, then it must be safely removed.
How is asbestos safely removed from a property? Asbestos removal from a property should only be undertaken by qualified and experienced professionals. It’s important to contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor who can assess the situation and determine how to safely remove the material. This usually involves wearing protective gear, such as masks and overalls, while the asbestos is carefully taken apart or dismantled. The contractor can then use special equipment to collect and transport it away from the site safely.
As such a dangerous material, asbestos was eventually banned in Australia. The Australian government passed a ban on all forms of asbestos in December 2003, which marked the end of its long and controversial history in the country. Asbestos was used extensively in Australia for decades, with many homes being built between the 1950s and 1980s containing some form of asbestos.
If you’re unsure, always assume that the material is asbestos and contact a professional Asbestos Company immediately for safe removal!
