Prevention is the Only Cure: In 2020 More Australians Will Die from Asbestos Exposure than COVID-19

SYDNEY - Nov. 3, 2020 - PRLog -- In 2020, more than 4,000 Australians will die from asbestos-related diseases caused from exposure to asbestos fibres either in the home or in the workplace – that's 3000 more deaths compared to the number of Australians who will have died from COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic.

However, unlike COVID-19, deaths in Australia from asbestos-related diseases have been ongoing for more than 100 years including lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma which can develop 20-50 years after exposure. There is no cure.

As with COVID-19, the most effective means of preventing asbestos-related deaths is to prevent exposure – inhalation of deadly asbestos fibres. However, according to the Australian Mesothelioma Registry, Australia has one of the highest measured incidences in the world having recorded a steady increase in mesothelioma cases over the past 40 years with two Australians (on average) diagnosed every day in the last year alone.*

Professor Ken Takahashi, Director of the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) said, "Despite the sinister history of asbestos in Australia, and the prediction that deaths from asbestos-related diseases will continue to rise due to the wide-spread use of asbestos-containing materials (ACM); Australians remain complacent about the dire consequences of disturbing ACM."

Cherie Barber, Australia's Renovation Queen and Ambassador for National Asbestos Awareness Month said, "With more than 4000 Australians dying each year from asbestos-related diseases and the cause directly linked to DIY and renovating, during National Asbestos Awareness Month renovators, DIYers, tradies, property managers, demolition and construction workers must learn how to manage asbestos safely by visiting asbestosawareness.com.au.

"If you think a product might contain asbestos, treat it as if it is asbestos and take all the precautions including engaging an occupational hygienist or licenced asbestos assessor and only use licenced asbestos removalists because it's not worth the risk!"

Renovating? GO SLOW - Asbestos it's a NO GO! Visit asbestosawareness.com.au to find out what you need to know!

-ENDS-

THE NATIONAL ASBESTOS AWARENESS MONTH CAMPAIGN & ASBESTOSAWARENESS.COM.AU ARE CURRENTLY UNFUNDED AND CONDUCTED PRO-BONO BY INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS & I-NEX TO HELP SAVE LIVES

For images of asbestos-containing materials: https://asbestosawareness.box.com/v/AsbestosAwarenessImages

For Journalist Notes & Full Release: https://asbestosawareness.com.au/resources-downloads/medi...

To access various asbestos resources visit https://asbestosawareness.com.au/

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