ACT Asbestos Health Study

Korda, Rosemary; Trevenar, Susan; Clements, Mark S.; Armstrong, Bruce K.; Law, Hsei Di; Guiver, Tenniel; Anderson, Philip R.; Batterham, Philip; Welsh, Jennifer; Banwell, Cathy; Sargent, Ginny; Kirk, Martyn

ACT Asbestos Health Study

Authors

Korda, Rosemary

Trevenar, Susan

Clements, Mark S.

Armstrong, Bruce K.

Law, Hsei Di

Guiver, Tenniel

Anderson, Philip R.

Batterham, Philip

Welsh, Jennifer

Banwell, Cathy

Publisher

Canberra, ACT : National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Medicine, Biology & Environment, The Australian National University.

Abstract

The ACT Asbestos Health Study examined the health effects of living in a house with loose-fill asbestos insulation in the ACT. The study provided information on domestic exposure to loose-fill asbestos in the ACT and on the health concerns of current and recent residents of Mr Fluffy houses. It also reported on mesothelioma incidence in the ACT, and if data allowed it, provide estimates of the risk of mesothelioma and other cancers associated with living in an affected residence. The study was in response to multiple health forums held in 2014 with concerned residents of Mr Fluffy houses. There are 1,022 known residential properties affected by loose fill ‘Mr Fluffy’ amosite asbestos insulation in the ACT. While the mesothelioma rate is low in the ACT, at around 10 cases per year, concerns were raised by residents about the potential health impacts associated with living and in some cases, renovating, loose-fill asbestos homes.