Hobart builder Matthew Pearce says tradies and home renovators need to respect the difficulties and dangers of asbestos at building sites. Picture: Kim Eiszele Source: Mercury
TASMANIAN builders are calling on councils to make it cheaper and easier to safely dispose of asbestos, to discourage illegal dumping.
It is Asbestos Awareness Month and organisers want to educate about possible dangers caused by asbestos around the home.
Master Builders Tasmania executive director Michael Kerschbaum said many people wrongly assumed it was only used in old shacks.
"If you're home was built or renovated prior to the mid to late-1980s, you should assume there's an element of asbestos in it," Mr Kerschbaum said.
"It was a common material, especially in fibre cement cladding, but it was also used in glues and vinyls and in some of the putties that were used for window frames.
"It was used for insulation around hot water cylinders and as backing for electrical switchboards.
"Even the old chook pen that's been there for years and years could have asbestos in it."
Mr Kerschbaum said testing for and removal of the substance had become less expensive because more licensed handlers had come on board thanks to increased awareness.
But he said the "heavy-handed" approach to asbestos disposal by some councils made it harder and more costly to get rid of the material.
"We have very few tip facilities that can deal with asbestos, people often have to travel many kilometres [to dispose of it] and that's leading to some of the illegal dumping," Mr Kerschbaum said.
"Some more proactive councils interstate are taking it at subsidised rates because they recognise that it's in the community's interest."
West Hobart home owner Stuart Gillies's story has become a common one.
Mr Gillies recently embarked on an extensive renovation of his family's 1920s brick home, only to find asbestos under a slate floor.
"That stopped everything," he said.
He called in a builder with a licence to remove asbestos, but the process delayed the build by about three weeks, and cost several thousand dollars.
"I spoke to someone who said, 'welcome to older houses'," Mr Gillies said.
Hobart builder Matthew Pearce, who specialises in renovations and building projects, said each time he found asbestos, he called in a licensed disposal company.
However, Mr Pearce said some home handymen would dispose of asbestos irresponsibly to avoid costs.
"The biggest drama we have in the industry with asbestos is while all the tradies are pretty good with it, the home handyman either may not be aware of what materials asbestos is in, or they are aware, and they illegally pull it out and dump it themselves rather than paying a professional to come and get rid of it," he said.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• Every home built or renovated before the mid-1980s is likely to contain asbestos.
• When inhaled, asbestos fibres can cause life-threatening diseases including lung cancer, pleural disease, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
• Asbestos generally does not pose a health risk unless broken, sanded, sawed or otherwise disturbed.
• Asbestos can be found under floor coverings such as carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions to homes, outdoor toilets, dog kennels and backyard sheds.
• For information on asbestos removal in Tasmania visit www.asbestos.tas.gov.au
sally.glaetzer@news.com.au
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