Asbestos safety after bushfires

08 Jan 2020

UPDATE 28 JAN - you can access our bushfire information and fact sheet here.

Asbestos is a potential hazard when returning to bushfire affected properties.

State and territories have issued advice and these links are provided below for your information.

Asbestos is present in as many as 1 in 3 homes built prior to 1990, as well as many public buildings built in that time, and in natural disasters like fires formally bonded asbestos fibres can easily become loose and airborne.

The most likely time that exposure to asbestos could occur is during the building clean-up or demolition phase, when debris and materials are moved extensively. However, exposure can also occur when walking around the site to assess damage. It is strongly recommended that personal protective equipment is worn. (see example of type of equipment here).

There are precautionary measures that the public can take to protect themselves as much as possible, and authorities have advised on this.

Advice common across all Commonwealth, state and territory responsible authorities includes:

Take all advice from emergency and clean up personnel on the ground
Do not enter your property until you are advised that it is safe
Wear a P2 face mask and protective clothing (such as sturdy boots and gloves) – whether you believe asbestos may be present or not.
- Advice from the Department of Health regarding P2 face masks
- An example of the type of protective clothing suggested can be found here, provided by Emergency NSW.
Keep children (and animals) clear of the site
Building rubble should not be buried as it may contain hazardous materials including asbestos
Don't spread ash and debris around your property, or move it extensively, particularly if asbestos materials were used in your home or other structures
Moisten the ash with water to minimise dust and keep damp but do not use high pressure water sprays