Tweed hotspot for DIY danger

DIY renovators are being urged to check for asbestos after more than half of all samples of materials taken from properties in the Tweed this year tested positive.

Tweed Shire Council has urged residents to find a licensed professional to take a sample test or to buy an asbestos testing kit before starting renovations.

Council resource recovery education officer Tarra Martel said it was important residents knew whether materials stripped during renovations contained asbestos.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

The risk increases with the number of fibres inhaled, according to NSW Health.

Asbestos was previously used in cement sheeting (fibro), drainage and flue pipes, roofing, guttering and flexible building boards.

It could also be found in brakes, clutches and gaskets and in the 1960s and 70s loose fibre asbestos was used as home roof insulation.

“Seventy-eight samples have been tested through the program this year with 52 per cent testing positive – that’s 41 samples identified as containing asbestos,” Ms Martel said.

“By taking this simple and effective precaution, the risk for the homeowners as well as workers and staff on site has reduced significantly,” she said.

“Asbestos can pose a health risk for the homeowners but also for workers and staff at the waste facility who sort and process the waste. We really want to ensure people are testing their building materials before they start work, and before they bring it to the tip.”

The council said asbestos test kits were available for

ASBESTOS CAN POSE A HEALTH RISK FOR THE HOMEOWNERS BUT ALSO FOR WORKERS AND STAFF AT THE WASTE FACILITY

COUNCIL OFFICER TARRA MARTEL

Tweed residents at cost price of $47.20, in conjunction with North East Waste.

They include instructions, a mask, sample bags and a prepaid satchel. The council sends the samples to an asbestos testing company and the results are emailed. Residents can buy or drop off the kits at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre.

Rules for disposing of asbestos at the Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre included dampening asbestos to reduce dust, and notifying weighbridge staff.

For more information, call the council on 02 6670 2400.