DEFENCE OHS FACT SHEET No 17 – 05/20010
ASBESTOS
PURPOSE. The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to provide information on asbestos. SAFETYMAN Volume 1,
Part 5, Appendix 2 to Annex F to Chapter 1, requires surveillance where an employee has been exposed to
asbestos. Defence has established a Defence Hazardous Exposure Evaluation Scheme (DHEES)/ Defence
Asbestos Information Line (toll free 1800 000 655) in response to concerns that some Defence/ASF personnel
may have had exposure to asbestos in Defence platforms, equipment and buildings. The sponsor of this Fact
Sheet is the Defence Centre for Occupational Health (DCOH) within the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
Branch.
WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is a term used for a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals; chrysotile (white asbestos) belongs
to the serpentine group of minerals, while the amphibole group includes amosite (brown/grey asbestos),
crocidolite (blue asbestos) and the fibrous types of several other varieties.
Asbestos minerals consist of thin, separable fibres arranged parallel to one another. Amphibole asbestos
fibres are generally brittle and often have a rod-or needle-like shape, whereas crocidolite asbestos fibres are
flexible and curved. Asbestos fibres do not dissolve in water or evaporate, and are resistant to heat fire,
chemical attack and biological degradation.
Asbestos was commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building
materials. The most commonly used form of asbestos was chrysotile.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that there is sufficient evidence of
carcinogenicity of asbestos in humans (Group 1).
Safework Australia Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) has set a time-weighted average
(TWA) occupational exposure standard of 0.1 fibres/mL for the asbestos varieties listed above. ASCC has not
set a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for any form of asbestos.
HOW DOES ASBESTOS ENTER THE BODY?
Asbestos minerals are widespread in the environment. You are most likely to be exposed to asbestos by
breathing in asbestos fibres that are suspended in air. These fibres can come from naturally-occurring sources
of asbestos or from the wearing down or disturbance of manufactured products which contain asbestos. Low
levels of asbestos that present little, if any, risk to your health can be detected in almost any suburban air
sample. These levels are, however, very low indeed. Levels could be higher near a building that contains
asbestos products and is being demolished or renovated.
If high levels of asbestos become airborne and are inhaled (breathed in), small asbestos fibres may become
airborne and inhaled into the lungs If asbestos fibres are swallowed (either those present in water or those that
are moved to the throat from the lungs), nearly all of the fibres pass along the intestines and are excreted in
the faeces.
A small number of fibres may penetrate into the lining of the stomach or intestines, and some may eventually
get into the blood; some of these fibres are trapped in other tissues, and some are removed in the urine.
WHY CAN ASBESTOS BE HARMFUL?
If asbestos fibres are inhaled into the lungs, they may cause significant health problems (mesothelioma, lung cancer
and asbestosis). All forms of asbestos are hazardous, and all can cause cancer, but amphibole forms are considered
to be more hazardous to health than chrysotile.
As asbestos is a known human carcinogen, there is no known ‘safe level’ of exposure. However, we know the greater
and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos related disease. The risk is minimised
when asbestos is dealt with in compliance with Commonwealth legislation available through links on the OHSC
website (see below).
Fibres below 3 micrometres (3 μm) in diameter are referred to as respirable, meaning that they may enter the deepest
parts of the lung. Most larger fibres are deposited in the nose and major airways, and are cleared by normal
physiological processes; however, smaller fibres are generally deposited in the smaller airways and airspaces (alveoli).
Air movement in these regions is very low. In general terms, fibres below 3 μm in diameter and greater than 8 μm in
length (that is, as they become longer and thinner) are considered to be potentially carcinogenic, and the risk of cancer
increases as the fibre diameter of the fibre decreases.
Workers who repeatedly breathe in asbestos fibres with lengths greater than or equal to 5 μm may develop a slow
build-up of scar-like tissue in the lungs and in the membrane that surrounds the lungs. This scar-like tissue does not
expand and contract like normal lung tissue and so breathing becomes difficult. This disease is called asbestosis.
Further development of scar tissue may occur after the cessation of exposure. Blood flow to the lung may also be
decreased, and this causes the heart to work harder and to enlarge.
People with asbestosis may have shortness of breath, often accompanied by a cough. This is a serious disease and
can eventually lead to disability or death in people exposed to high amounts of asbestos over a long period. However,
asbestosis does not normally occur to people exposed to low levels of asbestos.
Changes (visible on X-ray) in the membrane surrounding the lung, called pleural plaques, are common in people
occupationally exposed to asbestos and are sometimes found in people living in areas with high environmental levels
of asbestos. They are a marker of past exposure to asbestos, and are not in themselves a disease. They do not
become malignant.
Asbestos workers have increased chances of getting two principal types of cancer: cancer of the lung tissue itself and
mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin membrane (pleura) that surrounds the lung and other internal organs. Crocidolite
and amosite are thought to be the asbestos varieties most strongly associated with the development of mesothelioma.
These diseases do not develop immediately following exposure to asbestos, but appear only after a number of years.
There is usually a long latency period which ranges from 10 to more than 50 years between exposure and the
development of mesothelioma and lung disease.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer associated with asbestos exposure. The risk is greatly increased if the person
also smokes cigarettes.
There is also some evidence from studies of workers that breathing asbestos can increase the chances of getting
cancer in other locations (for example, the stomach, intestines, oesophagus, pancreas, and kidneys), but this is less
certain.
Members of the public who are exposed to lower levels of asbestos may also have increased chances of getting
cancer, but the risks are usually small and are difficult to measure directly. Lung cancer is usually fatal, while
mesothelioma is almost always fatal, often within a few months of diagnosis.
The levels of asbestos in air that lead to lung disease depend on several factors. The most important of these are
length of exposure, how long it has been since your exposure started, and whether you smoked cigarettes. Cigarette
smoking and asbestos exposure increase your chances of getting lung cancer.
The mere presence of asbestos in a building or component is not an immediate risk. In fact, if asbestos can be
maintained in good condition, it is recommended that it be left alone and inspected periodically to monitor its condition.
It is only when asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are disturbed, or the materials become damaged and the
asbestos contained within becomes friable and loose, that it becomes a health risk.
IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO SHOW WHETHER YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS?
The most common test used to determine if you have received sustained exposure to asbestos is a chest X-ray.
A chest X-ray is recommended for detecting exposure to asbestos only in persons who have sustained
relatively heavy exposure. A chest X-ray is of no value for detecting evidence of asbestos exposure in a person
whose exposure to asbestos has been only recent or brief or transient. The X-ray cannot detect the asbestos
fibres themselves, but it can detect markers and early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos. While other
substances besides asbestos can sometimes produce similar changes in the lungs, this test is usually reliable
for detecting asbestos-related effects produced by long-term exposures at relatively high concentrations of
asbestos fibres. Other tests, such as gallium-67 lung scanning and high-resolution computed tomography (‘CT
scans’), are also useful in detecting changes in the lungs.
However, there are currently no means of detecting exposure-related effects from commonly-encountered lowlevel environmental asbestos exposures. The most reliable test to determine if you have been exposed to
asbestos is the detection of microscopic asbestos fibres in pieces of lung tissue removed by surgery, but this is
a very invasive test.
A test can also be conducted to determine the presence of asbestos fibres in material rinsed out of the lung.
However, this test can cause some discomfort. Medical examination of persons recently exposed to asbestos
cannot reveal the presence or absence of health problems related to the exposure. In particular, X-rays are
inappropriate for incidental or brief exposures and may pose an additional risk.
Asbestos fibres can also be detected in mucus (sputum), urine, or faeces, but these tests are not reliable for
determining how much asbestos may be in your lungs. Low levels of asbestos fibres are found in these
materials for nearly all people. Higher-than-average levels can show that you have been exposed to asbestos,
but it is not yet possible to use the results of this test to estimate how much asbestos you have been exposed
to, or to predict whether you are likely to suffer any health effects.
Refer to SAFETYMAN Volume 1, Part 5, Appendix 2 to Annex F to Chapter 1, at for health surveillance
required where an employee has been occupationally exposed to asbestos.
This reference may be accessed on DEFWEB at:
http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/home/documents/data/DEFPUBS/DEPTMAN/SAFETYMANV1/AL8.pdf,
HOW DOES DEFENCE MANAGE IN SITU ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS?
Registers of buildings with asbestos have been compiled. The registers detail the location of the ACM, and
information about the condition and risk posed by the ACM. Most in situ ACM is labelled with asbestos warning
signs to alert staff and regular inspections are undertaken to monitor the condition of ACM.
The Defence Support Group (DSG) is responsible for the control and management of asbestos within Defence
owned buildings. DSG has adopted a best practice approach to manage in situ asbestos until its removal.
Management activities include Regional Asbestos Management Plans and an Asbestos Register based on the
Defence Estate Management System (DEMS). Asbestos survey and remediation programs continue across
the Defence Estate.
Components containing asbestos (chrysotile), both in situ and mission critical, are managed by the DMO.
Defence is committed to the removal of all asbestos from Defence platforms, equipment and buildings, subject
to a very few legislatively-permitted uses in mission-critical applications where no asbestos-free substitutes are
available.
WHEN IS IT NECESSARY TO REMOVE ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS?
Removal is not always the best or required option for dealing with ACM, and if done incorrectly, may substantially
increase the risk to occupants. It is only when the ACM can no longer be maintained in good condition and /or the
airborne concentrations of asbestos are elevated, or when the building is to be demolished or renovated, that removal
may become the only option. Handling and disposal of chrysotile containing components within the Defence inventory
is undertaken in accordance with established management plans and procedures. The chrysotile inventory is overseen
by DMO.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN USING ASBESTOS?
Correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to good industrial practice are required
when working in areas where exposure could occur. Refer to SAFETYMAN, volume 1, part 5, appendix 2 to
annex C to chapter 2 for details of PPE requirements for asbestos exposure.
Apply immediate correct first aid (including decontamination) and seek medical attention immediately in the
case of an accident.
The Occupational Health and Safety Commonwealth Employment (National Standards) Regulations list
asbestos in Schedule 2-Hazardous Substances for which Health Surveillance is Required. Employees
occupationally exposed to asbestos are to undergo routine health surveillance on the following occasions, preemployment on a task involving occupational exposure to asbestos or within 90 days following commencement
of such employment, periodically, at intervals of not more than two years, during employment on tasks
involving exposure to asbestos; and on termination of employment on tasks related to asbestos exposure.
Refer to SAFETYMAN Volume 1, Part 5, Appendix 2 to Annex F to Chapter 1 for health surveillance required
where an employee has been exposed to asbestos. SAFETYMAN also covers mandatory regulatory
obligations related to asbestos, as well as other policy issues.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Current serving members: If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos, you should complete form
AC563 (Accident or Incident Report Form). Call the Defence Hazardous Exposure Line (DHEES)/Defence
Asbestos Information Line - (toll free 1800 000 655) and contact your local ADF Health Service to arrange an
exposure evaluation.
Current and former ADF members: You should contact the Defence Hazardous Exposure Evaluation Scheme
(DHEES)/ Defence Asbestos Information Line (toll free 1800 000 655) and register your personal and possible
exposure details. You may lodge a claim with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs if you believe that your
health has been adversely affected by exposure to asbestos. Call 133 254 or 1300 550 461
Current and former Civilian employees: If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos, you should
contact the Defence Hazardous Exposure Evaluation Scheme (DHEES)/ Defence Asbestos Information Line
(toll free 1800 000 655) and register your personal and possible exposure details.
ADF Cadets, Officers of Cadets, contractors and visiting personnel to Defence establishments: If you believe
that you have been exposed to asbestos, you should contact the Defence call centre on 1800 333 362 and
register your personal and possible exposure details.
RESOURCES AND FURTHER INFORMATION
•
SAFETYMAN, volume 1, part 5, chapter 2 - Asbestos Management in Defence
http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/home/documents/data/DEFPUBS/DEPTMAN/SAFETYMANV1/AL8.pdf and
appendix 1 to annex D to chapter 2 in
http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/home/documents/data/DEFPUBS/DEPTMAN/SAFETYMANV1/VOL1AL1.pdf.
•
DSG Strategic Asbestos Management Plan for the removal of asbestos in Defence owned infrastructure and
the Estate http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/DSTAS/docs/DSG_Strategic_Asbestos_Management_Plan_2007.pdf
•
Asbestos awareness PowerPoint presentation http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/DSTAS/docs/0907AsbestosAwareness.ppt