DEBRIS scattered across the landscape in the wake of Cyclone Marcia has set the asbestos alarm bells ringing for people cleaning up in central Queensland, but those with long-term knowledge of the dangers associated with the product are urging people in the bush and on farms to be on the lookout for it in their daily lives.
More cases of illness from rural areas are diagnosed every day.
Lined shearers quarters, broken cement pipes lying exposed on dam banks or used to feed stock with, hay sheds with flaking asbestos cement roofs - examples of the many ways country people are still at risk of exposure to the deadly product.
Elisha Parker was introduced to the pain that asbestos is wreaking on rural families in 2002, when she started work with law firm Turner Freeman, which deals specifically with damage caused by the product.
"Asbestos is in so many industries - it's startling," she said.
"It's common to associate it with buildings, but banana farmers have been affected by bags they covered their fruit with, for example, and their wives inhaled fibres when they were washing dirty clothes.
"We've had instances of exposure that's occurred when unblocking large asbestos cement flue pipes used on properties or removing them to replace with new poly piping.
"They're enticing for children to play on and inside of, all while they're further breaking down. Even things like vinyl floor tiles, old ironing board covers and flower pots are traps."
"In rural Queensland, a lot of outbuildings have asbestos in them."
Asbestos Related Diseases Support Society Queensland secretary Amanda Richards said products ceased being manufactured with asbestos in 1983, but it was realistic for people to assume that if their house was built before 1990, it was highly likely to contain asbestos.
"In rural Queensland, a lot of outbuildings have asbestos in them.
"We are now concerned that we will see a new wave of people exposing themselves with the trend of home renovations.
"Even if people know there's asbestos in their home, they don't believe it will hurt them, but some only need a very short exposure to get mesothelioma."
It is a point Elisha is also keen to make.
"There's such a lack of awareness all over. People say, it won't happen to me. I even see it on social media. People don't understand that they're literally playing with death.
"There's a misconception that you need a lot of exposure, but mesothelioma only needs one fibre to start the process."
Seven-hundred new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in Australia, and that figure doesn't take into account lung and oesophageal cancer cases caused by asbestos exposure.
Elisha said the main message was the only safe level of exposure was no exposure.
"There's a misconception that you need a lot of exposure, but mesothelioma only needs one fibre to start the process."
"If you decide to expose your-self, you are putting your partner at risk when she washes your clothes, and your children who might give you a hug. A study has shown asbestos staying in clothes after five washes, and it settles in hair."
What people thought of as saving money often became more costly in the long term, when shortness of breath prevented them from undertaking usual property chores.
"People don't realise they won't be able to mow their lawn, or change a tyre, or put in new pump buckets on their windmill. They have to put someone on and that's costly, and lug an oxygen bottle around.
"Diseases and life in the bush aren't compatible."
Acknowledging the difficulties and expense for bush people to bring in a qualified asbestos removalist, Elisha said a handy guide for home renovations was available from the state government.
Steps listed by Ms Richards are:
- Wear a mask and protective clothing.
- Ensure the product is wetted down.
- Double bag it.
- Mark the spot where it is buried so it is not accidentally dug up in future.
Asbestos diseases are also a big issue for rural areas because most of the support available and treatment options are located in Brisbane, removing people from families and homes for ongoing care.
"A lot of rural people aren't getting proper referrals to specialists, either, because there aren't people in those areas who have experience in the disease," Ms Richards said.
Elisha said bush men tended not to go to their doctor with chest pain or shortness of breath, meaning their illnesses weren't diagnosed readily.
Her work in obtaining compensation does not bring people's health back, but gives people peace of mind that their family will be looked after.
Many sufferers on pensions also find it difficult to afford the breathing apparatuses and walking aids needed as the disease progresses, and compensation relieves that financial burden.
Elisha Parker, pictured with daughter Olivia, lives on a cattle property west of Clermont and works as a lawyer, helping people affected by asbestos inhalation.
Case studies
Elisha Parker has assisted on behalf of a number of Turner Freeman clients suffering from the effects of asbestos exposure.
- Riverina rice farmer - installed an asbestos cement pipe system with sprinklers to irrigate paddocks growing rice crops. Work performed in early 1960s when client was about 15. Handled pipes and cut to specific lengths to fit trenches. Client diagnosed with mesothelioma at 64 in late 2011 and died in late 2013. Developed pneumonia shortly after diagnosis, lost 20kg, in intensive care for 2.5 weeks. Significant travel and accommodation expenses travelling for chemotherapy treatment.
- Queensland poultry farm worker - employed from mid-1950s to mid-1970s. Client worked on the construction of chook sheds with walls made of flat asbestos cement sheeting and roofs made of corrugated asbestos cement sheeting. Chook feed troughs and nesting boxes were partly clad with asbestos cement flat sheeting. These broke over time and pieces fell off. Client diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 at 76 and died in early 2012. Required oxygen almost constantly. Underwent radiotherapy.
- A shearer who worked in Queensland, Victoria and SA from 1956 to 1990s, where shears, wool press and stock movement caused vibrations through shearing sheds containing asbestos. He also slept in shearers quarters lined with flat asbestos cement sheeting. He developed lung cancer at 76 and had asbestos-related pleural plaques.
- A Northern Territory property manager from 1953 to 1977 used asbestos cement sheeting in the construction of the property's main homestead, a small ablution block, a mess area, a six-room workers' accommodation complex, store room and butcher shop, guest quarters and office block, among others. He developed asbestosis at 76 years of age and died a few years afterwards.
Sally Cripps
Journalist
Journalist
