Australia: Unions Demand Immediate Asbestos Probe

Unions Demand Immediate Asbestos Probe

Australian unions have recently called on the federal government to take a new look at asbestos with the hope that it will soon be eliminated from homes and workplaces for good.

Sharan Burrow, ACTU president, told a group of reporters that the government desperately needs to look at regulation, compensation, cures and treatments for those affected by the illnesses caused by asbestos. "This is an urgent request. You've got Australia with the highest rate of mesothelioma deaths anywhere in the world," she said.

While there hasn't been any immediate response from the government, it is expected that Parliament will heed the call. Greg Combet, one of the champions of the anti-asbestos movement, is now a parliamentary secretary.

Once a person has been exposed to asbestos, it can take up to 60 years for the consequences of exposure to appear in the form of mesothelioma or other lung-related diseases. As a result, although asbestos was banned in 2004 it is estimated that asbestos-related deaths and illnesses will peak in another 10 years or so. "While there is a ban on it, clearly it still lives amongst us," said Burrow.

Last week, famed British cancer researcher Julian Peto said that he estimates one in 10 retired carpenters will die of asbestos-related disease in Australia. This parallels with the results of a study published on British carpenters born prior to 1950. According to Peto, Australia and Britain have the highest mesothelioma mortality rates in the world.

Before 1987, around one third of buildings constructed in Australia has asbestos in them. "As these buildings get older, the deterioration will become even more prevalent. That, of course, increases the risk for Australians, whether they are handling asbestos or not," said Burrow.

Currently, asbestos is the leading cause of workplace cancer.

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