Asbestos was banned in Australia two decades ago, but there remains more than six million tonnes of the dangerous material in buildings across the country. Experts say the asbestos is deteriorating, increasing the chance of exposure and putting lives at risk. The cost of removal remains a barrier to the disposal of asbestos, and advocates are pushing for a streamlined approach to making it easy, safe and affordable to remove.
Although the numbers had been expected to drop, about 4000 people still die each year in Australia from asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancer. That's about three times the national road toll.
Asbestos-related diseases account for the highest number of work-related deaths, but exposure outside of the workplace is also a concern. There has also been an increase of cases among people who've been renovating old homes, without bringing in licensed asbestos removalists.
Scary...
This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
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