How to spot asbestos lurking in your investment

The Asbestos Education Committee in partnership with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute and the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities, have released new resources available for free download to help protect renovators and investors.

The resources include the 'Asbestos Awareness Healthy House Checklist – A Homeowners Guide To Identifying Asbestos-Containing Materials', designed to provide renovators with a better knowledge of where asbestos could be hidden in their investment and the steps that need to be undertaken if some is uncovered.

The checklist will ensure renovators know in advance if they should hire a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist to safely undertake the work.

Founder and CEO of Renovating For Profit Cherie Barber tragically lost her grandfather to mesothelioma, a cancer that can develop between 20-50 years after inhaling asbestos fibres with the average survival time just 10-12 months following diagnosis.

“The health risks to anyone working on domestic properties when asbestos materials are disturbed is something every Australian needs to take seriously because asbestos doesn’t discriminate. The Healthy House Checklist provides a practical guide for homeowners enabling them to conduct a simple, step-by-step, easy to follow visual inspection of their property,” said Ms Barber.

“In doing so, homeowners will improve their understanding of the sorts of products to look for, the locations where asbestos might be found and how to manage these products safely. The checklist also enables homeowners to maintain a record of possible asbestos locations should work or renovations be anticipated in the future, and monitor asbestos-containing materials to ensure they remain sealed.”

The Asbestos Awareness Healthy House Checklist can be found, along with other important educational materials, at asbestosawareness.com.au