There’s a deadly history of dust in Australia, from coal dust in the late 1700s to the widespread use of asbestos in the 1970s. Over the years, we’ve discovered the devastating consequences of exposure to hazardous dust, and the lessons learned have been etched into our collective memory. But in recent years, concerns are growing about another form of deadly dust: silica dust. Read on to learn more with this blog post from our asbestos removalist in Melbourne.
Lessons Learnt from History
Up to the mid-1980s, the use of asbestos in Australia was common, with the material often used in flooring and roofing. It wasn’t known then that inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause a range of diseases, including mesothelioma – a fatal lung cancer that can take up to 50 years after exposure to display symptoms. Today, Australia still has a high death rate from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, with over 700 people dying from mesothelioma in 2022 alone.
Asbestos was eventually banned in Australia in 2003, but after the ban, details emerged about cover ups by manufacturers of asbestos products. Affected individuals fought for compensation and won. However, the dangers of asbestos and other forms of deadly dust still live on.
Silica Dust – A Current Threat
In recent years, dangerous dust has again made headlines, with the inhalation of silica dust leading to cases of silicosis – a potentially deadly disease affecting the lungs. Stonemasons who work with artificial stone benchtops are at particular risk of developing silicosis, and a study by Monash University has shown that one in four stonemasons in Victoria will develop it. This has led to calls to ban the use of engineered stone products, most commonly used for kitchen and bathroom benchtops. As the dangers become more well known, the lessons learnt from asbestos and other deadly dusts won’t be forgotten.
Concerned About Asbestos? Call Us Today
If you suspect the presence of asbestos on your property, the experts at Express Asbestos Solutions can provide comprehensive asbestos testing in Melbourne as well as safe asbestos removal in Melbourne. Contact our asbestos removalist in Melbourne today.