Why Was Asbestos Banned in Australia?

There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos contains fibres that can cause life-threatening health conditions if you breathe them in. 

Australia had one of the highest rates of asbestos use per person in the world until the 1980s. We imported 1.5 million tonnes of asbestos between 1930 and 1983, and asbestos was mined in Australia until 1984.

Reducing the risk of asbestos exposure

You can’t tell if building materials or vehicle parts contain asbestos just by looking at them. 

The best way to reduce the risk is to be asbestos aware. This means if you think it might be asbestos, treat it like it is. If you’re not sure, use a licensed asbestos assessor to check things out. 

If you do have asbestos, then reduce the risk by planning to have it safely removed. Use a licensed asbestos removalist to keep you and others safe.