November is National Asbestos Awareness Month

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month. The annual national campaign, conducted by the Asbestos Education Committee, was launched in 2011 and provides free tools and resources to educate Australians about the ongoing dangers of legacy asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that can remain in any home built before 1990.

ACMs don’t pose a health risk if sealed and in good, stable condition. However, if disturbed during demolition, renovation or maintenance, asbestos fibres released can be inhaled and those exposed can develop deadly diseases including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Key facts include — according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Safe Work Australia’s Mesothelioma in Australia 2024 report — that over the past 40 years the number of cases of mesothelioma has continued to steadily increase.

The report, which comprising cases of mesothelioma reported up until 1 May 2025, notes that more than nine in 10 people who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma and completed an Australian Mesothelioma Registry (AMR) exposure assessment were assessed as having a history of possible or probable exposure to asbestos.

The AMR notes that, due to occupational exposure in trades, men have historically been more likely than women to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, yet 94% (1323 of 1409) of respondents who completed the questionnaire reported non-occupational exposure.

Other key facts include that one in three Australian homes contain asbestos and that 4000 Austrians die annually from an asbestos-related disease, which is 208% more than the 2024 annual national road toll.

Resources are available for tradies and commercial properties.

Image credit: iStock.com/georgeclerk. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.