Power tools and asbestos don’t mix – especially at Christmas

Power tools are always a popular choice at Christmas for those looking to encourage a loved one to do some DIY around the house, but this year the Cancer Council is encouraging gift givers to add a gift tag that could help avoid any unwanted surprises in the future.

With the hundreds of thousands of homes built between the 1940s and the 1980s using asbestos containing materials, home renovators are the fastest growing category of victims of asbestos related disease.

The gift tag will direct the new owner to an online learning package developed by the Cancer Council and WA Department of Health to help DIYers identify and see how to best manage asbestos in home renovation projects.

Terry Slevin, Chair of Cancer Council Australia’s Occupational and Environmental Cancer Risk Committee, said the tag shows the recipient that a lot of thought has gone into the gift.

“No one wants anyone to get mesothelioma as a result of a Christmas present. This tag will add peace of mind to Christmas gift giving,” Mr Slevin said.

Adding the gift tag to a present is as simple as downloading it and printing it on a home computer. It can be found at www.cancer.org.au/gifttag

Mr Slevin said over the past 20 years, there’s been increasing concern about a third wave of people diagnosed with mesothelioma after short term or low level exposure to asbestos in the home.

“With the burgeoning home renovating trend, particularly with DIYers, we’re now seeing a third wave of people being diagnosed, and in many cases it’s because people aren’t sure what they’re doing when they’re dealing with asbestos, or aren’t even able to recognise that asbestos is present.”

The course, “kNOw Asbestos In Your Home”, takes home renovators and DIYers through how to locate asbestos, safely handle it and dispose of it, as well as learn more about asbestos-related diseases.

Australia has the highest per-capita rate of asbestos-related diseases in the world, with about 2500 Australians diagnosed with asbestos related diseases each year.

Mr Slevin said the message is simple.

“This tag is an easy and effective way of reminding your loved one that powertools and asbestos do not mix. It’s important to know what to look out for before they get going on those jobs you may have set them,” he said.

The e-learning package can be found at http://elearning.cancer.org.au/

(Source: Cancer Council – Government of Australia)