Fears Australia's recent fires, floods and COVID-19 outbreak could lead to increased risk of asbestos exposure

Health officers worry Australians could have been uncovered to harmful ranges of asbestos within the wake of the nation’s current COVID-19, flood and fireplace crises, which may result in an elevated threat of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma – an incurable and aggressive most cancers – generally happens after publicity to asbestos and was chargeable for the deaths of some 760 folks nationally final yr, in accordance with Cancer Australia.

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia’s (RCPA) Professor Sonja Klebe stated asbestos particles are extraordinarily harmful and the comply with on results of publicity can take a long time.

The Block 2022 — Health officers worry Australians could have been uncovered to harmful ranges of asbestos within the wake of the nation’s current COVID-19, flood and fireplace crises. (Nine)

Even temporary publicity can show deadly.

“Around 4000 Australians die every year from asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma,” Klebe stated.

“The Australian Mesothelioma Register shows that an increasing number of exposures are now linked to home building work, which increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic; there is also concern about potential exposure related to the recent natural disasters in Australia.

“During the bushfires, fireplace fighters had to enter burnt buildings, a lot of which have been outdated farm buildings containing asbestos.

The briefest publicity to asbestos could be deadly. (A Current Affair)

“The same goes for the recent flooding; there would have been asbestos floating around in the debris. It is less dangerous when it is wet, but people may still have been exposed through contaminated water during the clean-up operation.

“The impact of this might not be seen for years, as the everyday latency between publicity and illness is greater than 30 years.”

On average, tumours develop between 10 to 60 years after asbestos exposure and can develop on the the lungs, abdomen, heart or testes.

Just six per cent of those diagnosed live longer than five years.

Authorities are concerned there may be many Aussies have recently been exposed to asbestos. (9News)

“This is a very necessary subject and it is not going to go away,” Klebe said.

“Whilst asbestos has been banned for a few years in Australia, there may be nonetheless an enormous quantity current in buildings.

“We’re seeing around 700-800 new cases of mesothelioma each year. Unfortunately, it is a hugely aggressive cancer and the life expectancy for most mesothelioma patients is approximately 12 months after diagnosis.”