Asbestos Discovery in Australian Landfill Leads to Exposure Scare

Asbestos containing materials have been discovered at a closed landfill site at Australia’s Shelly Beach (west coast of the country, near Sydney). Local officials have fenced off the area and are contracting professionals to remove the hazardous material.

It has been estimated that “the work will take about three weeks to complete and will be funded from its (the local council’s) $12 million tip rehabilitation fund,” according to The Central Coast Express Advocate.

Locals stopped using the landfill in the 1970s and it has since been paved over and covered by a parking lot. The asbestos discovery poses a problem because they came from areas where the pavement eroded, the council’s contracts and special projects manager Mike Long said.

“The age of this landfill and combined effects of wind and pedestrian movements from the car park to the beach have exposed pieces of buried rubbish from the landfill which include these small pieces of fibre cement sheeting,” he said.

This latest incident follows the discovery of asbestos on another landfill site two about two months ago.

This story highlights the problem of asbestos that was not proberly sealed and stored. Many landfills around the world contain asbestos and asbestos products. Over time, erosion and other factors can lead to incidents of asbestos exposure. If asbestos fibers become airborne, people in surrounding areas could inhale them, causing serious damage to their health.

Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive form of lung cancer that is often fatal. People who were exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation under their local asbestos laws. If you or someone you know suffers from mesothelioma, you should contact one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers to learn your rights.

Mesothelioma Cases in Australia

Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world. This is due to the high rate of asbestos use and mining in Australia over many years. Up to 600 mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year in Australia. The high incidence of the disease is not expected to decline in the short term.

Asbestos fibre production began in the 1880's and Asbestos was extensively mined in Western Australia (Wittenoom 1938-1966) and New South Wales (Baryulgil 1940-1979). Asbestos fibre was also imported from South Africa and North America.

It is estimated that One in three homes built in Australia between 1840 to 1987 contains some form of asbestos and nearly all public buildings such as hospitals and schools. Over 3,500 products containing asbestos were readily available in Australia. While Asbestos production and use has largely ceased, asbestos can still be found in the following:

•Building materials such as asbestos-cement sheeting (fibro) and paints


•Motor vehicle parts such as break linings and gaskets


•Electrical products such as hair dryers and air conditioners.


•Some textiles such as felts

According to professor Henderson of Flinders University, the number of people diagnosed with asbestos related diseases will not peak until 2020 by then there will be 13,000 cases of mesothelioma and up to 40,000 cases of asbestos-related lung cancer, amounting to 53,000 cases of incurable cancer caused by asbestos over the next 20 years.

Medical research may offer some hope for sufferers of this incurable disease. Australia is one of the most active countries in mesothelioma research. Several research programs are currently being conducted nationwide. Recently, Australian researchers developed a new screening procedure which could help people worldwide in the early detection of mesothelioma. Several Australian organisations which offer information and support for victims and their families of mesothelioma and asbestos related diseases.