Asbestos in Australia: a history of illness and death

Asbestos was once hailed for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. But it has a dark history of health hazards, coverups and industrial controversies.

In Australia, the widespread use of asbestos eventually led to a public health crisis.

This article traces the history of asbestos in Australia, exploring its discovery, use, health implications, and regulatory response.

While significant steps have been taken in banning asbestos and protecting future generations, the country continues to grapple with the long-term consequences of the extensive use of asbestos. 

Discovery and development of asbestos

Asbestos was first used in the Stone Age, some 750,000 years ago. However, its use became widespread after the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. By the 1880s, many countries such as Canada, South Africa America, Italy and Russia had opened asbestos mines.

The largest asbestos producing mine in Australia was the notorious Wittenoom mine in Western Australia. In about 1936, Lang Hancock discovered Wittenoom held significant deposits of blue asbestos. By 1940, his company had commenced a large-scale mining operation.

In 1943, the Wittenoom mines and mills were taken over by Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR). The CSR works at Wittenoom were among the largest asbestos mining and milling operations in the world. These works would kill and injure many workers, town residents, and tourists.

On 31 December 1966, CSR closed its asbestos mining at Wittenoom – not for safety reasons, but because it wasn’t profitable enough. Sadly, more than 2000 workers and residents of Wittenoom have died from asbestos related diseases to date. The town would ultimately be demolished and made into a prohibited zone.

How asbestos spread into Australian homes

In the building boom following World War II, asbestos was a favoured construction product due to its durability, heat resistance, and cost-effectiveness. It was commonly used in the construction of homes and buildings.

In Australia, asbestos was a primary material in construction for nearly half a century, up until the 1980s. Asbestos materials were also popular in home interiors from the 1950s onwards. Asbestos was used in spray coatings for textured ceilings and walls, as well as in vinyl floor coverings.

It is believed that about one third of all Australian homes contain some form of asbestos product. Asbestos is most common in homes built before 1980.

Health consequences and response

Asbestos damages the lungs and the inner membranes of the body, causing asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Even a single small exposure to asbestos can cause fatal disease. The first studies showing that asbestos can kill date from 1906.

The latency period for the onset of disease is between 20-30 years from exposure, meaning many will not know their fates until much later on in life.

A number of major corporations were increasingly aware of the dangers posed by asbestos, but they continued to mine asbestos and manufacture asbestos products. The dangers were often covered up and concealed from both workers and consumers.

Over time, growing health concerns eventually led to stricter regulations and policies on asbestos containing materials. In the 1970s many unions commenced industrial action calling for bans on asbestos, and the first public health warnings were released.

In 1977, the International Agency for Research on Cancer finally listed asbestos as carcinogenic.

However, it was not until 31 December 2003 that an Australia-wide ban on the manufacturing and use of all asbestos containing materials came into effect. But asbestos remains throughout Australia’s built environment, where it continues to injure and kill.

A danger that persists: asbestos still kills

The fallout of widespread asbestos use poses ongoing challenges worldwide.

Approximately 90,000 people pass away from asbestos-related diseases globally each year, with around 4,000 of these deaths occurring in Australia.

Asbestos remains present in old buildings and infrastructure, where deteriorating materials release hazardous fibres into the air. Even schools with asbestos cement roofs have become a point of danger.

Likewise, demolition workers, tasked with tearing down these structures, face significant exposure risk.

Scrap from demolished buildings is sometimes turned into mulch, and this mulch – which can contain asbestos – is sometimes spread in playgrounds and parks.

Homeowners renovating houses built in the 20th century also face hazards, often without awareness of the potential risks, leaving them unprotected.

Although asbestos-related diseases were once thought to be confined to industrial settings, they now pose a significant threat to the general public. This ongoing danger will persist until all asbestos-containing materials are entirely removed from our environments.

Comprehensive removal and strict regulatory measures are essential to protect public health and address the long-term impact of asbestos use in Australia.