Counselling and support services to those who develop asbestos related diseases and their families

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Beatrice Bennett
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1 Asbestos Info The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc. The Asbestos Disease Society of Australia Inc. is a caring registered charitable organisation founded in The Society provides the following services at no cost to the public; Counselling and support services to those who develop asbestos related diseases and their families Economic assistance to those who suffer financial hardship or social disadvantage as a result of contracting asbestos related illness. Political lobbying and advocacy in asbestos related areas Dissemination of information on the ubiquitous nature and health hazards of asbestos to responsible authorities ie Federal State and Local Government. Raising community awareness of the dangers associated with Asbestos products still at large in the community and providing information thereon as requested. Promoting research into the early diagnosis and treatments of Asbestos related diseases. Stimulation into research for safe alternative products Fundraising for medical research and support services. The organisation is non-profit and charges only a nominal membership fee ($10) to its members. Except for a small annual grant courtesy of the West Australian Government, it is largely reliant on fund raising activities and the public's support for its operating revenue. The Society is therefore independent of public or private sector interests. Public support and donations have enabled the Society to assist thousands of sufferers over the last 30 years and your continued support only enhances developments to date in medical research and life saving treatments and related services to the community. What is Asbestos Asbestos is a generic term applied to some mineral silicates of the serpentine and amphibole groups, whose characteristic feature is to crystallise in fibrous form. There are many members of the family - common among these are blue asbestos (crocidolite), white (chrysotile) and brown or grey asbestos (amosite). Other forms of asbestos include anthophyllite which was used mainly in Finland. However tremolite, said to be part of the amphibole asbestos group, was used in some commercial talcs in small quantities and is also a contaminant of other asbestos types, e.g. chrysotile (white asbestos). The three most common types of asbestos that were mainly used in a wide range of products are: Chrysotile (white asbestos)

2 Crocidolite (blue asbestos) Amosite (brown or grey asbestos) Until the late 1960s, the Australian industry used both serpentine (75%) and amphibole (25%) asbestos. Subsequently, the use of chrysotile increased to approximately 95% whilst blue and grey asbestos declined to 5%. Asbestos is one of the most useful and versatile minerals known to man mainly because of its unique properties, flexibility, tensile strength, insulation (from heat and electricity) and chemical inertness. It is the only natural mineral that can be spun and woven like cotton or wool into useful fibres and fabrics. The importation of Asbestos will cease at the end of 2003 however, there will be limited exceptions for the approved use of asbestos products in highly specialized industries. SOURCES OF ASBESTOS Large deposits of asbestos were discovered in the Ural Mountains in the Soviet, in the Alps of Northern Italy, Canada, USA, South Africa and Rhodesia. In Australia, large deposits of crocidolite were found in the North of Western Australia at Wittenoom Gorge and some deposits of white asbestos were mined in Northern New South Wales (Barraba and Baryulgil). Asbestos Products Most homes built before the mid 1970 s contain asbestos in some form, and in fact asbestos building products continued to be used up until the early 1980 s. Asbestos was easy to work with, was affordable and had the added quality of being heat resistant. There are more than 3000 applications of asbestos use the result is that workers have and are exposed in virtually every occupation, and most homes contain asbestos in some form. Asbestos was often sprayed onto ceilings and walls for a variety of purposes, i.e. decorative, etc. It was also used as a form of insulation around the pipes behind radiators or wood-burning stoves. Asbestos was also used in Vinyl floor tiles and their backings, roofing, eaves, shingles, some plaster and paint. Many routine repairs, renovation and maintenance activities - even putting in a new heating system - can disrupt asbestos, releasing millions of fibres into your home, school or office. Asbestos cement products such as roofs and cladding contain as much as 11% to 20% of chrysotile and 5% to 10% amphibole asbestos (crocidolite or amosite). As a result of the continuing exposure to meteorologic influences such as rain, sunshine, wind and frost, as well as to industrial atmospheric pollutants, the surface of asbestos cement products corrodes and weathers. Thus, cement particles and asbestos fibres are released from the surface and disperse in air and rainwater. Residential housing and schools were often clad with fibro cement sheeting (commonly known as fibro) and roofed with corrugated asbestos cement products.

Common Domestic Applications of Asbestos Vinyl Tiles Hessian sacks used to carry asbestos used as lining under carpet and tiles Insulation on Hot Water Pipes Millboard behind heaters and stoves

3 Common Domestic Applications of Asbestos Vinyl Tiles Hessian sacks used to carry asbestos used as lining under carpet and tiles Insulation on Hot Water Pipes Millboard behind heaters and stoves Asbestos cement sheeting in various forms and styles on walls and eaves Insulation inside fuse boxes Asbestos Ceiling insulation in either a dry form or as a roofing felt Asbestos corrugated roofing and fencing Asbestos plasters Asbestos being mixed into paint to give walls and ceilings a textured look. Asbestos Caused Diseases What are they? Asbestosis Lung Cancer

4 Mesothelioma Laryngeal Cancer Ovarian Cancer Testes Cancer Pleural plaques Pleural thickening Pleural effusion Mesotheliom cancer encompassing the lungs over a series of xrays.

5 Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Courtesy: Dr Daniel Sterman USA

7 Incidents of Mesothelioma in Australia Year Courtesy Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc

8 Facts about White Asbestos and Mesothelioma

9 Asbestos in the Community Just after the turn of the century, the first wave of asbestos diseases and deaths occurred in the asbestos mining industry. The second wave attacked workers in the asbestos manufacturing industry. The third wave affected former building and construction workers and continues to do so. Now, due to decaying asbestos products the fourth wave of asbestos diseases, more subtle and insidious, is stalking a wide range of Australians at work, at school and in the home. In particular Home Renovators the DYI generation. The consequence of the fifth wave is still yet to come (workers from asbestos removal industry and consequence of uncontrolled-unsafe removal of asbestos cement products). NATURALLY OCCURING ASBESTOS Recently the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology were concerned of naturally occurring asbestos in China which may have dangerous effects on human health. It would appear that naturally occurring asbestos has been defined as asbestos mineral found in soil or rocks that may be disturbed by natural weathering and human activities, including road and house construction, agricultural activities, forestry and urban development. These activities may lead to abundant asbestos fibres being released into the environment and may result in potentially higher health risks for those exposed. Some studies have reported that the risk of Mesothelioma was significantly affected by the distance of homes to an Industrial source of asbestos. However, asbestos fibres derived from naturally occurring asbestos may influence larger areas compared with Industrial sources. It would appear Western Australia has an abundant of naturally occurring asbestos, particularly in the areas which are now subject to incredible exploration which no doubt ought to be seriously investigated. Current Australian government policy, guidelines and regulations have largely dealt with commercial and industrial asbestos sources as well as the effects of asbestos mining. Naturally occurring sources of asbestos have largely been over looked as a potential source of exposure. This is despite numerous well documented occurrences of asbestos minerals in rock and soils. Brief History of Asbestos in the Community Australia first began importing asbestos products from Poisy, France in 1903 November 1916 Wunderlich Limited opened its first Durasbestos factory in Cabarita on the Parramatta River NSW 6 months later James Hardie commenced manufacture of asbestos products Background Diseases caused by exposure to asbestos are claiming many lives and affecting many families around the world, every day of the year, in numbers that rival the worst epidemic proportions. Exposure to Asbestos dust is responsible for more deaths than any other single work-related cause in Australia Over 2,600 deaths in 2008 due to the past inhalation of Asbestos fibres

10 ADSA estimates that 50,000 more will die by 2025 from preventable Asbestos Diseases. Top 5 Contributors to Asbestos Diseases in Australia 1. James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd 2. CSR - Colonial Sugar Refinery Limited 3. Wunderlich Limited 4. Midalco Pty Ltd formerly know as Australian Blue Asbestos Pty Ltd 5. Asbestos Mines Pty Ltd Genesis of Asbestos Caused Diseases in Australia On May 31 st 1916 James Hardie set up a company Asbestos Slate & Sheets Manufacturing Co Limited to manufacture asbestos cement building products. A few decades later James Hardie Co. had asbestos manufacturing plants in every State of Australia. Unsafe Work Practices James Hardie Factory Rivervale

Mining Asbestos at Wittenoom (Remote town in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia) In April 1943 Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR) commenced mining Blue Asbestos at Wittenoom Gorge 31 st December 1966

11 Mining Asbestos at Wittenoom (Remote town in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia) In April 1943 Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR) commenced mining Blue Asbestos at Wittenoom Gorge 31 st December 1966 CSR closed its asbestos mining operations at Wittenoom claiming lack of profitability and falling of asbestos prices Approximately 7,000 men and women worked for CSR blue asbestos mining and milling operations at Wittenoom. Approximately 13,000 non-workers resided in the Wittenoom township i.e. women and children (7000 were children either born in Wittenoom or they arrived with their parents). To date more than 2000 of the workers and residents of Wittenoom have died from Asbestos Diseases.

The Wittenoom Tragedy The CSR mining and milling of blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia, is the greatest industrial disaster in Australia and is comparable to similar catastrophes such as

12 The Wittenoom Tragedy The CSR mining and milling of blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia, is the greatest industrial disaster in Australia and is comparable to similar catastrophes such as Bhopal, Seveso and Minamato. At Wittenoom thousands of workers and their families, visitors, tourists, consultants and Government officials were exposed to lethal levels of blue asbestos a thousand times higher than occupationally regulated at the time. Wittenoom Facts Existence of Crocidolite in Hamersley Ranges has been known since In 1923 a Ton of Blue Asbestos could fetch 80 Pounds Stirling in England. About 1925 Asbestos rush occurred in the Pilbara, however tyranny of distance and the terrain difficulties forced the prospectors to sell their claims to speculators. In 1939 the Late Mr Hancock and his associates constructed primitive Asbestos Crushing Plant on the site which became known as the Wittenoom Mill. In 1943 CSR purchased the Leases and primitive Mill structure from Hancock Syndicate (Messers Lang Hancock, Wright & Warren). Mr Lang Hancock became Superintendent of the Blue Asbestos Mining and Milling operations.

The company was incorporated on the 17th April 1943 and continued its operations of Asbestos Mining and Milling at Wittenoom and Colonial Gorges until 30th December 1966.

13 The company was incorporated on the 17th April 1943 and continued its operations of Asbestos Mining and Milling at Wittenoom and Colonial Gorges until 30th December CSR and its subsidiary ABA operated 2 mines and Infrastructure at Wittenoom from 1943 to The processed Blue Asbestos fibre was transported to Point Samson on open trucks. The Blue Asbestos fibres were stored in sheds at Point Samson and loaded onto Ships. About half of the Blue Asbestos fibre production at Wittenoom was sold to overseas interest and the rest was used in Australia.

14 Wittenoom Blue Asbestos Mine and Mill To accommodate the Mine and Mill workers, tents were erected approximately a kilometre from the Mill. Staff and other more important employees were accommodated in a small estate of 13 houses about 600 metres from the single men s tents. Offices and the company store were located between the single men s tents and the housing estate. Up to 1947 there were up to 200 Miners and Mill workers employed to carry out the Milling and Mining Operations. To increase the production of asbestos fibre CSR approached the WA Government for assistance to establish a town 7 miles from the Mining and Milling Operations to accommodate additional workforce.

15 The WA Government agreed to supply all housing requirements, a school, post office, hospital, police station, water supply and to bitumise the seven mile road connecting the town with the mine. CSR agreed to provide hotel, general store, butcher, bakery, cafeteria, library, café and employees amenities building and accommodation for 100 single men. The building commenced in Wittenoom Population During the asbestos mining and milling operations the population of the town of Wittenoom was around 20,000 which included workers, wives, children including numerous service providers like bank, police, post office, hotel staff, shire and medical. There is absolutely no question that CSR knew that asbestosis and cancer were extremely likely results of working in conditions such as those they permitted in Wittenoom. (CSR's knowledge was established in the Victorian and Western Australian courts through the judgements of asbestos-caused injury litigation). During the mining operations, more than 20,000 men, women and children lived at Wittenoom. Some of the workers sent there were part of the Commonwealth Government policy to place new migrants for a period of two years in any work situation. Dr Jim McNulty AO visited Wittenoom milling and mining operations between 1957 and 1962 in his capacity as a chest physician, mines medical officer. In 1962 Dr McNulty diagnosed the first mesothelioma case in Australia in a worker employed at CSR's blue asbestos mine at Wittenoom. Upon diagnosing this first Australian mesothelioma, Dr McNulty personally explained its significance to CSR's subsidiary management (Australian Blue Asbestos Pty Ltd) stating "that the relatively short period of exposure to blue asbestos confirms the impression that these tumours may arise after transitory exposure to crocidolite." He also sent them a copy of his paper describing the case which was published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Dr McNulty is adamant that CSR was always aware that if it continued to run the mine without adequate dust suppression, they could be endangering the Wittenoom mine and mill workers to a very grave degree. One of the strongest warnings was given in writing to CSR's consulting doctor, Maynard Rennie, by West Australian specialist Dr Bruce Hunt on September He wrote, "It would obviously be much more satisfactory if the company (CSR) itself took the necessary action - which I suggest should start with an inspection by yourself and by a well qualified ventilation engineer. After examining the evidence which has been produced for you I find it very difficult to believe that a reputable public company (CSR) could remain in its apparently self satisfied state and continue to allow the asbestos mining industry to go on killing men unfortunate enough to be employed in it. If however the present situation is to remain unaltered I feel it my bounden duty to bring the matter to the personal attention of the Premier."

16 In 1962 the matters of poor hygiene and excessive dust at the CSR Wittenoom mine and mill were brought to the attention of Premier and Cabinet of the day. Sadly, no action was taken because apparently CSR threatened to close the mine if additional restrictions were to be placed upon their mining and milling of blue asbestos at Wittenoom. It would appear that despite the many warnings from doctors and mining inspectors, CSR continued to run the mine and milling operations with little regard for dust suppression, which is now considered to be the reason for many premature deaths of former Wittenoom workers many years later. During the 1970s Dr Janet Elder, Senior Chest Physician at the University of Department of Medicine at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, was horrified by the speed with which the new cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases were developing amongst the former Wittenoom workers. "The dreadful tragedy," she recalls, "was that so many of its victims were very young and very fit when they went there [Wittenoom]." CSR blue asbestos mining and milling at Wittenoom has had a significant impact on all Australians. Western Australia in particular has the highest rate of malignant mesothelioma than any State in Australia or elsewhere in the world per capita of population. In response to CSR s notice of closure of Wittenoom mining and milling operations, the Hon. Charles Court, Minister for North West at the time made the following statement to the press on the 1 st December 1966 : This is not the end of Wittenoom. It is the beginning of a new phase in its history. The Hon. Sir Charles Court was absolutely right and more than 2000 Wittenoom asbestos diseases deaths are the corroborating factor.

What is Asbestos? Asbestos was also used in household items, such as: oven gloves ironing board pads simmer mats for stoves fire blankets.

What is Asbestos? Asbestos was also used in household items, such as: oven gloves ironing board pads simmer mats for stoves fire blankets. All About Asbestos Read this booklet to learn more about: identifying asbestos-containing material in your home the health risks of asbestos what you can do about asbestos. What is Asbestos? Asbestos is