8 February 2003

DIY Renovations Can Be Deadly

Do It Yourself renovators can risk death or serious injury if they do not take safety precautions in handling dangerous materials such as asbestos said Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

Managing Director of Archicentre, Mr Robert Caulfield said, "People are failing to realise just a small period of exposure to asbestos dust during inappropriate removal techniques can result in lung cancer."

"We have hundreds of thousands of houses in Australia built in the 1950's and 1960's which have asbestos components. The real problem begins when people go to renovate and start cutting, sanding, drilling, grinding or pulling up the material and cause the deadly dust."

"There is no short cut to removing asbestos properly and we suggest the extra money spent on using licensed asbestos removalists is worth it in the long term."

Mr Caulfield said that most houses built before 1983 contain some form of asbestos. In most cases the presence of asbestos products in houses is no cause for alarm and should be left in its place.

In the past asbestos was used extensively in products, one of the most common being AC sheeting or asbestos cement. These sheets were most often used for cladding, sometimes known as fibro, or roofing. The asbestos in these products is usually firmly embedded in the cement. Surfaces which are weathering and could release asbestos strands from the surface can be covered with paint, or better, an acrylic waterproof membrane resembling thick paint.

Mr Caulfield added that with many new materials, substances and techniques which have been introduced into the building industry it is important to take precautions, especially when using cutting devices that create dust.

Further information on Asbestos is available from the WorkSafe Victoria website at Asbestos Research

There is important information available on Asbestos and Lung Disease on the Cancer Council website Asbestos Research

Media Enquiries:
Robert Caulfield Managing Director Archicentre (03) 9819 4577 Mobile 0412 381 306
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700