The Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce has produced a report that estimates the total volume of legacy asbestos found in workplaces, shops, hospitality venues, health centres and hospitals, community and government buildings, and light-medium industrial properties including farms. This study complements a 2020 report produced by the Taskforce about asbestos remaining in residential properties across the region.
“It is estimated that there is 1.9 million square metres of legacy asbestos-containing materials across the three municipalities studied,” said Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce Chair and Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson, “which is about the same land area size as Melbourne’s central business district.”
“Whilst the most well-known asbestos product, asbestos cement sheet, accounts for 90% of the total volume, it may surprise some to learn that the next highest is found in vinyl products such as vinyl sheets, tiles and adhesives.
“Asbestos was used in over 3,000 products and that is why all workplaces are required by law to have an asbestos register that identifies where asbestos products are located. This register must be maintained and updated at least every five years.”
The previous study undertaken by the Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce into legacy asbestos in residential properties revealed a total of 3.1 million square metres across the same three municipalities, which is significantly higher than the total volume found in this new report into all other buildings.
“Asbestos really is more common than we think. It was used widely up until 1990 and it is a concern that it is still in many of our workplaces, our homes, the buildings we frequent every day,” said Ms Anderson.
“We all need to do more to understand and protect ourselves from the risks of asbestos exposure, and we need more programs and initiatives to address the challenges we will face into the future as these very large volumes of asbestos products deteriorate and release deadly fibres.
“Asbestos causes cancer, and by minimising the risks of asbestos exposure, lives will be saved. It is totally preventable.”
“This latest survey shows that three out of five (60%) people have renovated properties built before 1990,” said Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce Chair and Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson.
“The question is that while 74% of homes across the Latrobe Valley region still contain asbestos, are people taking the precautions necessary to prevent risks of asbestos exposure?”
The survey report reveals that 37% DIY home renovators are doing their own asbestos assessments, but only 12% have undertaken asbestos training.
Asbestos was used in over 3,000 building products and the Taskforce has been active in raising awareness of the risks through the production of a new “Breathtaking Renovations” video, which also aired on television recently in Gippsland.
“The Breathtaking Renovations video shows a number of common places where asbestos can be found in the home,” said Ms Anderson, “and it is encouraging to see that the confidence levels people have in their own ability to identify asbestos products has decreased significantly since the first survey in 2019, from 39% to 23%. This means more people are aware that it’s really hard to know all the places it could be, so it’s best to call in a professional to check.
“Asbestos can be very dangerous if not managed properly, and we all need to think twice about asbestos before drilling a hole in a wall, sanding the eaves, pulling up lino or knocking down the old shed in the backyard.
“It really is more common than we think. The latest study soon to be published by the Taskforce to estimate the volumes of asbestos remaining in workplaces across the Latrobe Valley shows that while the volumes are very large, there is still far more asbestos in our homes than in our workplaces.
“In National Asbestos Awareness Week, we encourage people to contact a licensed asbestos removalist before renovating any property built before 1990. In the Latrobe Valley, many lives have been lost to asbestos-related disease, and there is a risk that more will be lost if people aren’t taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their neighbours and their loved ones,” said Ms Anderson.
Asbestos-containing materials were routinely used in the construction of residential buildings up until 1990, and it is estimated that three in four homes across the Latrobe Valley region still contain asbestos today.
This is the second survey conducted by the Taskforce, and it confirms the findings of the first survey with regards to the levels of understanding around the risks of asbestos exposure in Latrobe Valley homes.
“While many people are aware of the dangers of asbestos, some still believe that it only presents a risk if it is disturbed,” said Chair of the Taskforce, Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson.
“As asbestos products are nearing the end of their life cycle, they are naturally degrading and may be releasing deadly asbestos fibres.
“It is also concerning that a large number of homes built before 1990 are still not being checked for asbestos before renovations. We know that DIY home renovation is a very popular activity, and some people may not know that they could be putting themselves, their families and their neighbours at risk.
“Some know that asbestos is commonly found in places such as eaves, wall linings, and in wet areas, but do not know that is also frequently found in vinyl floor underlays and backings, and was also used in flooring adhesive, window sealants and the electrical meter box.
“There are so many instances where asbestos can be found, it is impossible to understand the risks without undertaking asbestos awareness training.
“The survey found that only 13% DIY home renovators have undertaken formal training, and worryingly, two out of five said they planned to undertake renovations on properties built before 1990 in the next 12 months.
“This year, the largest group of DIY home renovators was found to be women aged 50 – 54, and so we know that home renovation activities are very popular with women, too.
“We encourage everyone to contact a professional to check for asbestos before works commence to minimise the risk of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. There is a lot of information available on the Asbestos in Victoria website, and you can also contact your local council,” said Ms Anderson.
It has been found that almost three in four (74%) homes in the Latrobe Valley region are likely to contain asbestos – significantly higher than the national average of one in three homes.
“What this report shows is that it is more important now than ever to increase awareness of the risks of asbestos exposure,” said Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce Chair and Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson.
“More than 4,000 people die each year from asbestos-related disease, and Australia is seeing a third wave of asbestos victims who are mostly DIY home renovators.
“Almost every home built before 1990 has asbestos somewhere, and the risk of asbestos exposure can be minimised by understanding where asbestos is commonly found in the home, and what to do if you need to remove asbestos,” said Ms Anderson.
The table below shows the comparison in each municipality of asbestos-containing materials.
Total volume (m2)
% all dwellings with asbestos
Volume per capita (m2)
Baw Baw Shire
674,880
61.11
12.64
Latrobe City
1,472,407
80.11
19.49
Wellington Shire
972,312
73.95
21.91
Asbestos-containing materials are commonly found in the eaves of the home, and in wet areas including bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. There is also a significant amount of asbestos-containing materials found in outbuildings such as sheds and garages.
“We believe this is the first time a model for calculating the volume of legacy asbestos in residential properties has been developed in Australia. We expect and encourage other jurisdictions to use it to determine the corresponding health risks to the wider community.”
“The findings in this report have informed the development of the Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce Year One recommendations, which we have today presented to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio. There are four key recommendations, all of which are aimed at reducing the risk of asbestos exposure and saving lives,” said Ms Anderson.
Recommendation #1 – Asbestos removal only permitted on residential properties in prescribed circumstances.
Recommendation #2 – Compulsory asbestos awareness training for specified occupations.
Recommendation #3 – Notice of intent to undertake demolition work to be made compulsory.
Recommendation #4 – Provision of an Asbestos status certificate/report compulsory on the sale or rental of a residential property built before 1990.
“In Asbestos Awareness Week, we remember the many lives lost to this dangerous substance, and urge people to be mindful of asbestos when doing any home improvement jobs. Asbestos can’t be identified by sight, it needs to be tested and the first step is to contact a licensed asbestos removalist. You can visit the asbestos.vic.gov.au website to find out more,” said Ms Anderson.
Quote attributed to The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and Minister for Solar Homes:
“I welcome this report and will review the recommendations. I’d like to thank the taskforce for their important work into this crucial issue for the Latrobe Valley.”
The increase being seen in queues in major hardware stores and corresponding home improvement activities means that a lot more people could unknowingly be putting themselves, their families and neighbours at risk.
“We strongly encourage anyone living in a home built before 1990 to think twice before doing any sanding, wall removal, tile replacement or flooring upgrades due to the very real risk of asbestos exposure,” said Chair of the Taskforce, Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson.
“Asbestos containing products were very common and widely used in Australia right up until the late 1980’s, and are commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, interior and exterior walls, under flooring as well as in heating flus and also fencing.
“What we know from a survey undertaken late last year is that many homes in the Latrobe Valley aren’t being checked for asbestos prior to renovation.
“Lung cancer, Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases can be avoided if people understand the dangers of asbestos exposure and can minimise the risks.
“While initially these diseases were seen in people who had worked in asbestos mines, then in those working with and/or manufacturing asbestos products, now Australia is seeing a third wave of victims which are mostly home renovators.
“I urge those who may be thinking of doing some home improvements – no matter how small – to visit the asbestos website at www.asbestos.vic.gov.au for information about where asbestos can be found in the home and how to minimise the risk of exposure,” said Ms Anderson.
Home renovation
is a popular activity in the Latrobe Valley and the Latrobe Valley Asbestos
Taskforce is concerned that the asbestos legacy is putting people at risk of
developing lung cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.
One in three
homes built in Australia before 1990 contain asbestos, and the recent survey undertaken
by the taskforce shows that these homes aren’t always being checked for asbestos
prior to renovation.
“What’s
concerning is the risk of asbestos exposure that many DIY home renovators may
be opening themselves, their family, and their neighbours up to,” said Chair of
the Taskforce, Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson.
“In many cases
it is impossible to tell the difference between a product that contains
asbestos and one that does not. Licensed professionals will determine if
asbestos is present or not only through laboratory testing.
“While licensed professionals are conducting around
1 in 5 asbestos assessments, we’d like to see more licensed professionals checking
older properties to ensure that any asbestos present is identified and dealt
with appropriately.
“We want to
ensure the health and safety of everyone is considered when doing home
renovations – DIY renovators and their families and neighbours, apprentices,
tradespeople, and anyone who may go onto a property being renovated.
“There
is available advice and information for DIY home renovators about identifying,
removing and disposing of asbestos on the asbestos website, which is the best
place to start,” said Ms Anderson.
