Asbestos Health Warning - Early Symptoms Similar to Covid-19

Fourth wave sees increase in second and third generation of victims

Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc (ADSA) is urging all Australians to be aware that early symptoms of asbestos diseases often present like a cold or flu, similar to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

People who may have been exposed to asbestos and silica dust typically suffer persistent coughs or ongoing respiratory illness. Warning signs include shortness of breath, cough, chest or abdominal pains and rapid weight loss, as well as blood in saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract.

ADSA is Australia’s leading health and advocacy association assisting persons exposed to asbestos or silica dust. ADSA has played a crucial role in helping Western Australians in particular, affected by asbestos-related diseases since 1979.

It would appear that more than 4000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases, predominantly of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, which cause major health and economic burdens.

Per capita, Western Australia has one of the highest incidences of mesothelioma in the world. This is mainly due to past mining and manufacturing, as well as the usage of

asbestos materials for industrial and domestic users.

In Australia, the use of asbestos was phased out in the manufacture of building products throughout the 1980s and completely banned in 2003.

According to Chief Executive Officer Melita Markey, the number of people presenting with asbestos diseases from occupational exposure has declined slightly in recent years. However, there has been a considerable increase in the number of cases from a nonoccupational setting, i.e. renovation and the spread of decaying asbestos material polluting

our community.

Sadly, Australia is currently experiencing a fourth wave of mesothelioma and asbestos diseases that are affecting the third generation of victims.

“We’re talking about wives and children of mine workers, farmers, tradespeople and DIY handymen, who were casually exposed to asbestos building materials,” said Ms Markey.

“Unfortunately ADSA staff continue to see people who are unaware that they have been exposed to asbestos through either their parents’ home renovations, or their own. Most houses built prior to 1990 contained elements of asbestos and the symptoms don’t usually emerge for up to 20-40 years after exposure.”

“It is heartbreaking to see so many families with two or more generations suffering and dying from entirely preventable diseases,” said Ms Markey.

According to ADSA, it is essential that the general public know that persistent cold or flu symptoms could be an early warning of an underlying lung condition.

“It would appear that everyone in the community is at risk if they have had some form of exposure to asbestos or silica dust. And if they’ve been cleared of COVID-19 and still have respiratory symptoms, we strongly encourage everyone to seek medical attention or contact our screening service,” Ms Markey said.

ADSA’s onsite screening service is led by Dr Gregory Deleuil, who has been specialising in this area of medicine for over 35 years. 

FOR A SCREENING APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL 1800 646 690.

FOR ANY WORKPLACE CONCERNS, CONTACT WORKSAFE ON 1300 307 877.

# # # ends # # #

Media Enquiries:

Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia

Robert Vojakovic, President: 9344 4077

Melita Markey, CEO: 0458 336 060

ABOUT THE ASBESTOS DISEASES SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA INC.

The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia was founded in 1979 to assist dying workers and their families in their fight for recognition of their asbestos caused diseases, justice and a cure. Furthermore, founders Robert and Rose Marie Vojakovic saw the asbestos diseases sufferers and their families needed ongoing support medically, socially and

emotionally, and so they founded the Asbestos Diseases Advisory Service (ADAS) in 1984. This important service continues today providing screening services, and ongoing medical, emotional and legal support.

All services provided by ADSA and ADAS are absolutely free. Public support and tax-deductible donations have enabled the Society to assist thousands of sufferers

over the last 40 years.

ASBESTOS IN THE COMMUNITY

Just after the turn of the century, the first wave of asbestos diseases and deaths occurred

in the asbestos mining industry. The second wave attacked workers in the asbestos

manufacturing industry. The third wave affected former building and construction workers

and continues to do so. Now, due to decaying asbestos products the fourth wave of

asbestos diseases, more subtle and insidious, is stalking a wide range of Australians at

work, at school and in the home. The consequence of the fifth wave which is about to

commence will incorporate a large number of those who had exposure to asbestos

particularly in the community and indeed those who are removing asbestos cement

products with insufficient protection and indeed lack of protection for the community

adjacent to the removal of asbestos products.

Asbestos was often sprayed into ceiling and walls for a variety of purposes i.e. decorative,

sound insulation etc. It was also used as a form of insulation around the pipes behind

radiators or wood burning stoves, ceiling insulation, vinyl floor tiles and their backings,

roofing, eaves, shingles, some plaster and paint. Many routine repairs, renovation and

maintenance activities – even putting in a new heating system – can disrupt asbestos

releasing millions of asbestos fibres into a home, school or office. As a result of continuing

exposure to meteorologic influences such as rain, sunshine, wind and frost, as well as to

industrial atmospheric pollutants, the surface of asbestos cement products corrodes and

weathers. Thus, cement particles and asbestos fibres are released from the surface and

disperse in the air.

There has been concern for many years that young persons may be more susceptible to

damage by hazardous asbestos fibres. The concern about exposure at an early age is

particularly relevant in the case of carcinogens as critical organs may be susceptible to cell

damage while they are still growing. Children, if exposed to asbestos at an early age, their

long life expectancy increases the probability that they may live long enough to develop

long latent period cancers such as asbestos-induced lung cancer and mesothelioma.

If you suspect that there are asbestos products present in your home or at work,

ring the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia toll free on 1800 646 690 or contact

the Department of Occupational Safety and Health in your State.