Asbestos and Health Risks

Asbestos was commonly used in:

  • cement sheeting (fibro)
  • drainage and flue pipes
  • roofing, guttering and flexible building boards (eg Villaboard, Hardiflex, etc).

In the 1960's and 70's loose fibre asbestos was also used in some parts of NSW as home roof insulation.

How can asbestos affect my health?

Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The risk of contracting these diseases increases with the number of fibres inhaled and the risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibres is also greater if you smoke. People who get health problems from inhaling asbestos have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

For further information and resources please visit the Asbestos Awareness website www.lgnsw.org.au/policy/asbestos-awareness