The Asbestos Education Committee (AEC) in partnership with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) yesterday announced Envirolab Group was a category winner of the national 2015 ‘Betty Awards’ based on our significant contribution to community education during the campaign.
The Betty Awards, an annual award named after ‘Betty,’ the ADRI House aims to recognise the outstanding commitment of 13 organisations as being socially committed leaders that take extraordinary measures to work with AEC to provide information and raise awareness on the dangers of working with asbestos.
The awards were presented by Asbestos Awareness Campaign Ambassador, John Jarratt (pictured) with Envirolab Group receiving the Best Asbestos Awareness Month Campaigner for the category of ‘Business or Corporate’.
Peter Dunphy, Chair of AEC said, “In presenting the Betty Awards we not only recognise the significant efforts of all 13 recipients as Australia’s leading Asbestos Awareness campaigners, we also hope this level of participation and high standard of community engagement will encourage more organisations to be actively involved and in doing so, help prevent asbestos-related diseases in their communities.”
Australia has one of the highest instances of asbestos related diseases in the world. This is because of how asbestos-containing building products were extensively used prior to 1987. This large volume of usage in particularly, the building and construction industries continued until a complete ban on the usage of asbestos-containing material was enacted by legislation in December 2003.
However, asbestos containing materials continue to remain in homes, garages, sheds and commercial constructions built prior to the enforcement of the 2003 legislation. For this reason, asbestos may still be found under floor coverings, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, fences, backyard sheds, around hot water pipes, extensions to homes, outdoor toilets and cisterns and even old dog kennels!
Especially as home renovation or DIY projects have become increasingly popular, it is important that we are all aware of the dangers of asbestos. Disturbing loose fibrous insulation material that contains asbestos is extremely dangerous because this action may lead to the release of dust and fibres in the air that can then be inhaled and result in illness or death from asbestosis, mesothelioma (of which asbestos is the only known cause) and other lung diseases. That’s why renovating without knowing where asbestos products might be and how best to manage it is likened to playing ‘Russian Roulette.'
As determining the presence of asbestos cannot be known by merely looking at the suspected material, it is highly recommended that sampling and testing is carried out by professionals before any renovation or building project commences.
In continuing to ensure that the community is aware about the dangers and presence of asbestos, Envirolab Services offers an asbestos testing service that allows you to determine whether asbestos is present in any suspected materials.
For more information or queries about testing for asbestos contact Sydney Asbestos Section Supervisor Lucy Zhu or Occupational Hygiene and Microbiology Supervisor, Tom Edwards in Perth. Alternatively visit our asbestos services page or call us on 1300 424 344.