Australia has the second-highest rate of death from mesothelioma and one of the highest per-person rates of asbestos use in the world.[1] The country mined asbestos and used it to manufacture construction materials, automotive parts, ship components, and many other products. Australia no longer uses asbestos, but with the long latency period, the number of mesothelioma cases may still be rising.
Facts about Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Australia
Australia once led the world in asbestos production, and mining was responsible for many related deaths.[2] The country had several mining locations, used it in factories and industries, and exported the mineral to other countries as well.
Because of the importance of asbestos to the country’s industries and economy, regulations arrived slowly.
- Between 700 and 800 Australians receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma every year.[3]
- As of 2023, the highest number of mesothelioma diagnoses occurred in 2017. Experts hope the number of new cases is declining.[3]
- Australian workers most affected by asbestos worked in trades, including electrical, building, metal production and fabrication, and plumbing.[3]
- Ten percent of retired carpenters in Australia are expected to die from mesothelioma.
- From the 1950s through the 1970s, Australia had the highest per capita use of asbestos in the world.
- Although asbestos has been banned in Australia since 2003, it is still present in existing materials. This, combined with the long latency period for asbestos-related illnesses, causes mesothelioma rates to continue rising.[4]
- Reports of asbestos-related lung damage were made as early as 1935 in Australia. In 1951, the country issued safe dust limits for asbestos exposure, but several mines went well over that limit.[4]
Is Asbestos Banned in Australia?
Australia passed a total asbestos ban in 2003. Asbestos cannot be imported, exported, or used in materials. Asbestos is not eradicated from the country, though. It lingers in abandoned mines, natural deposits, and many older buildings.
Mesothelioma by State and Territory
The incidence rate of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure varies by location within Australia. Areas with higher asbestos use have higher mesothelioma rates.
States and territories with the highest incidence of mesothelioma are:[5]
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
The areas with the lowest incidence of mesothelioma include the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania
How Asbestos Was Used in Australia
Several industries and products used asbestos in Australia. Industries with the heaviest use included construction, automotive, textile, aerospace, railroad, and shipbuilding.
Asbestos was used to produce construction materials and parts for automobiles, trains, ships, and factories. This versatile mineral was used extensively because it offers lightweight durability and insulates effectively against heat, fire, electricity, and chemical corrosion.
Australian products made with asbestos include:
- Cement
- Roofing materials
- Fire-resistant wallboard
- Flooring and ceiling tiles
- Insulation
- Clutch and brake linings
- Gaskets
- Automotive body fillers
- Fire blankets and fireproof garments
- Felt materials
- Aerospace metals and ceramics
- Pipe insulation on ships
Asbestos Mining in Australia
Australia had several asbestos mines. The Colonial Sugar Refinery operated one well-known mine in Wittenoom, a small western town. This mine operated from 1943 to 1966, when it closed due to falling asbestos prices and profits.[6]
While the mine operated, about 20,000 people lived in Wittenoom, including 7,000 mine workers and 13,000 non-working residents. Over 2,000 of those workers and residents have died from asbestos illnesses, and many more are sick.[6] Asbestos continued to be mined in Australia until 1984.
The Wittenoom mines produced crocidolite, or blue asbestos. Blue asbestos is one of the most toxic types. Australia banned its use in 1967.
Another important asbestos mining site in Australia was Barraba in New South Wales. It operated through the 1980s and left behind asbestos waste.
People at Risk of Exposure
The top five companies in Australia most responsible for exposure and resulting asbestos illnesses are:
- James Hardie & Poy Pty Ltd, which manufactured construction materials
- Colonial Sugar Refinery Limited
- Wunderlich Limited, which made decorative, pressed metal ceiling tiles
- Asbestos Mines Pty Ltd
- Midalco Pty Ltd. Midalco was formerly known as the Australian Blue Asbestos Pty Ltd
Anyone employed by one of these companies and their family members could have suffered asbestos exposure.
Anyone who worked in specific industries was also put at risk of asbestos exposure. Workers with the most significant risk include carpenters and construction workers, miners, power plant workers, textile factory workers, shipbuilders, naval workers, railway workers, auto mechanics, boiler workers, electricians, plumbers, telecommunication workers, and metal workers.
Residents near these factories and mines may also have been exposed to asbestos, even though they never handled it directly.
Buildings constructed before 1990 probably contain asbestos in construction materials. This includes homes and public buildings, like schools.
If these materials deteriorate or are disturbed by repair work or renovation, the fibers can come loose and contaminate the air. Asbestos is commonly found in roofing, gables, eaves, vinyl, carpet underlay, gutters, sheds, fencing, imitation brick cladding, window putty, expansion joists, formed concrete, and insulation.
Australia Asbestos Regulations and Lawsuits
Labor unions in Australia began advocating for asbestos laws in 1970. The first public reports of asbestos harm appeared soon after. Real regulations were not enacted until the 1990s when the government passed the National Environmental Protection Council Act. Lawsuits over asbestos exposure continue.
Asbestos Safety Regulations and Agencies
In 1998, New South Wales enacted the country’s first laws to protect victims of asbestos exposure. In 2003, the Australian government banned all types of asbestos.
The Work Health and Safety Regulations Act protects workers from existing asbestos. It set laws for handling naturally occurring asbestos, asbestos removal, training for asbestos workers, and licensing for safe asbestos clean-up.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency of Australia (ASEA) was created to help protect Australians from ongoing asbestos exposure. It targets not just occupational hazards but also the risks from homes and buildings and environmental exposure.
ASEA is dedicated to awareness, best practices, identification of asbestos locations, removal, and research regarding asbestos exposure.
Asbestos Lawsuits and Compensation
In 1977, a worker filed Australia’s first lawsuit against an employer for asbestos illness. However, the plaintiff died before the case could go to trial. In 1985, the first successful claim was made for asbestos-related compensation.
In 2005, James Hardie signed an agreement with the government of New South Wales to provide funds of $4.5 billion for asbestos victims. This was a historic milestone for financial compensation for asbestos victims. Finally, a 2008 law specifically provides compensation to workers with asbestosis.
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Australia
Because of Australia’s number of asbestos-related illnesses, the country is home to several specialized treatment centers. Some of the most important medical centers are the
- Bernie Banton Centre at Concord Hospital in Sydney
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth
These centers also focus on research into mesothelioma and treatments.
Compensation and Benefits for Australians Affected by Asbestos
Asbestos has long been a major public health concern for Australia and its residents. This problem did not disappear with bans and regulations, however. People exposed in the past will continue to get sick, and people living and working in buildings that contain asbestos are still at risk of exposure.
Laws are now in place to provide protection, but individuals should be aware of the risks and take steps to avoid exposure. If you suspect you encountered asbestos at any point in the past, proper screening is essential for early detection and treatment.
