Posted on 05 Apr 2023
The Invisible Danger in Your Home: Asbestos Exposure and Home Renovations
By Slater and Gordon
Thinking of tackling some home renovations over the weekend? Unknowingly, many Australians expose themselves and their families to asbestos after undertaking home projects without being conscious that it is present in their homes.
Before you do pick up the tools, think twice about asbestos!
Was your home built before 1990?
It is estimated that about 1 in 3 homes contain asbestos across Australia, and if your home was constructed before 1990 asbestos may be found in it. There are many different areas that asbestos can be found inside and outside your home.
What are the dangers of asbestos exposure?
When disturbed, Asbestos poses risk to you and your family. Loose fibres that are invisible to the naked eye can contaminate your hair, clothing and even surrounding furniture, meaning other family members can later come into contact with these asbestos fibres.
There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos exposure can lead to many diseases including:
Lung cancer
Ovarian cancer
Throat cancer
Mesothelioma
Asbestosis and asbestos related pleural disease.
We're here to help. Make an enquiry now.
Over the past 35 years we’ve supported thousands of people with asbestos related diseases with their claims for compensation. Get in touch with our experienced team today to discuss your Asbestos matter.
How can I protect myself and my family?
Being aware of the dangers of asbestos can help you protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you suspect that there may be asbestos containing building materials throughout your house, you can have an asbestos assessment undertaken prior to performing any home renovation projects.
In NSW and Victoria, a list of licensed asbestos assessors can be found on the SafeWork NSW website and the Asbestos VIC website. A licenced professional can provide advice on where asbestos is located, how to prevent disturbing it and now to arrange for it to be removed safety.
What you can do now
If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos register with us. So, if have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease in the future we can build your case.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, it’s very important to seek advice as soon as possible to make sure legal proceedings are issued within your lifetime, to ensure your rights are fully protected.
How can we help?
If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos, you can register your exposure with:
• The National Asbestos Exposure Register
• The Slater and Gordon Lawyers Exposure Register
Learn more about making an Asbestos compensation claim.
The contents of this blog post are considered accurate as at the date of publication. However the applicable laws may be subject to change, thereby affecting the accuracy of the article. The information contained in this blog post is of a general nature only and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. Please seek legal advice before acting on any of the information contained in this post.
