Asbestos Doesn't Look Dangerous. That's What Makes It Deadly.
Learn what asbestos is, the health risks it carries, and where it's commonly hiding in Melbourne homes built before 1990.
What Is Asbestos, And Why Is It Still A Problem?
Asbestos is a natural mineral fibre once prized for being cheap, fire-resistant and durable. Between the 1950s and late 1980s, Australia had one of the highest rates of asbestos use in the world — it was used in more than 3,000 building products, from roofing and wall sheeting to floor tiles and pipe insulation. It was progressively banned through the 1980s and 90s, with a full national ban on all forms in place by the end of 2003. If your property was built or renovated before 1990, there's a real chance it contains asbestos somewhere — and materials this old are more likely to be deteriorating, which increases the risk of fibres becoming airborne.
Diseases Linked To Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma
An aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen, almost always caused by asbestos fibre inhalation. It can take decades to appear.
Asbestosis
Permanent scarring of lung tissue caused by inhaled fibres, leading to breathlessness and reduced lung function over time.
Lung Cancer
Asbestos exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk — and that risk compounds further for smokers.
Pleural Disease
Thickening or plaques on the lining of the lungs, which can restrict breathing and cause ongoing discomfort.
Common Asbestos Hotspots In A Melbourne Home
Asbestos-containing materials are often hard to identify by sight alone. These are the areas we most commonly find them in homes built before 1990.
Roofing & Eaves
Corrugated roof sheeting and eave linings were commonly made with asbestos cement.
Wall Sheeting ("Fibro")
Fibro cement cladding was used extensively on external and internal walls.
Vinyl Floor Tiles & Backing
Older vinyl flooring and the backing/adhesive beneath it can contain asbestos.
Garage & Shed Walls
Freestanding structures often used the same fibro sheeting as the main house.
Fencing
Flat or corrugated fibro fence panels are one of the most common finds on older blocks.
Bathroom & Laundry Sheeting
Wet areas often used asbestos cement sheeting behind tiles for water resistance.
Why This Matters: A Documented Case
Australia's Longest-Surviving Mesothelioma Patient
As a university student, Paul Kraus worked near an asbestos factory during his summer break and was exposed to fine asbestos dust. Decades later, in 1997, he was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma and told he had only weeks to live.
Diagnosed in 1997. Given weeks to live. He survived 29 years.
Kraus went on to become an author and advocate, writing the best-selling Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide and supporting other patients until his death in 2024, at age 79.
Source: Wikipedia – Paul Kraus
What To Do — And What Not To Do
Don't
- Drill, sand, cut or sweep suspected materials
- Pressure wash or scrub fibro sheeting
- Put waste in your household bin or a skip
- Attempt DIY removal, even for "small" jobs
Do
- Leave undamaged material undisturbed
- Get it professionally tested if unsure
- Call a licensed asbestos removalist
- Ask for a clearance certificate once complete
Get A Free, No-Obligation Inspection
A licensed specialist will assess your property and give you a clear, honest answer — no pressure, no obligation.