AsianScientist (Sep. 7, 2011) – A ‘third wave’ of asbestos-related cancer has emerged among home renovators, according to latest research at The University of Western Australia’s School of Population Health.
The study, published in the September issue of the Medical Journal of Australia, has found a sharp increase in the number of malignant mesothelioma cases in Western Australia over the past decade as a result of do-it-yourself (DIY) activities involving building products containing asbestos.
Although occupational exposures remain the main cause of mesothelioma, in the last five years home renovation exposures accounted for about 13 percent of all cases.
The domestic exposures are being described as part of the ‘third wave’ of asbestos-related diseases, the first being in miners, millers and transport workers, and the second in workers who used asbestos products.
Home renovation activities that lead to asbestos exposure included construction using asbestos cement sheets, particularly if sawing or drilling the sheets, and the removal or demolition of these sheets. In some cases, bystanders were also exposed.
Lead author Nola Olsen said while the exposures occurred before asbestos-containing products were banned, there is still a concern due to the large number of homes and buildings that still contain these products.
“Asbestos-containing products such as asbestos cement sheets are still found in many homes, particularly older homes and fences. A recent survey by our colleagues at Curtin University found that many people did not take adequate precaution when dealing with these products,” Olsen said.
According to Ms. Olsen, even tradespeople did not think they could easily identify asbestos-containing products, let alone DIY home renovators.
Due to the widespread distribution of asbestos-containing products in Australian homes and the amount of DIY work that has happened in the past, the researchers believe it is likely that the number of mesothelioma cases attributed to these exposures will increase.
“We have very little understanding of the number of people who have been ‘exposed’ during home renovation so it is very difficult to estimate how many more cases we expect to see,” she said.
The Occupational Respiratory Epidemiology research group continues to monitor the incidence of mesothelioma in WA via the WA Mesothelioma Registry. It will also continue to investigate and report on other asbestos-related diseases that occur as a result of occupational and environmental exposures.
The article can be found at: Olsen NJ et al. (2011) Increasing incidence of malignant mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos during home maintenance and renovation.
——
Source: University of Western Australia.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
