Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North

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1 Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North Frequently asked questions June 2015 The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and Brimbank City Council have been working with the local community to address concerns about asbestos. This document provides answers to some of the frequently asked questions raised and is regularly updated. Residents can also contact Brimbank Council directly by ing or by calling (03) How did the issue arise? On Sunday 12 October 2014, the Herald Sun presented a five month special investigative report revealing they had identified an alarmingly high number of cases of asbestos-related disease in the neighbourhood of the former Wunderlich asbestos factory involving local residents without occupational exposure. The article also reported finding asbestos fibres in the roof space dust of eight homes and raised concerns about asbestos found on and next to the former factory site. How did the Department of Health and Human Services and EPA respond? An Expert Advisory Group was established to provide advice to the Acting Chief Health Officer about an environmental testing program and the issue more broadly. The EPA and DHHS initiated an environmental testing program involving tests for asbestos in roof space dust, indoor air and soil of 50 residences with ambient (outdoor) air testing done at the same time. In addition, the EPA sought to offer the same testing package to the 10 homes tested by the Herald Sun 6 of the 10 homes became involved. The Acting Chief Health Officer also requested the Victorian Cancer Registry to provide data on cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer involving people living around the site, and data has also been collected from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset to determine whether there were more than expected admissions for people living near the former asbestos factory in Sunshine North. What is being released on Tuesday 30 June? The Department of Health and Human Services has analysed the results of the environmental testing program and has prepared a Report. The Report contains; the actions undertaken by the EPA to ensure the safety of the former Wunderlich site the results and findings of the environmental testing program the review into asbestos-related disease in the area around the former factory site. All of the homes that participated in the testing program have been personally provided with their results this Report summarises all of the results. What does the report conclude? The Report concludes that: Issues with exposed asbestos on or near the former site were identified, addressed and continue to be monitored. Dumped asbestos remains a significant and costly challenge to Council but is also being rapidly addressed and monitored.

2 All of the homes tested are safe to live in, and that all homes in the area are thereby considered safe to occupy. There appears to be a higher than expected rate of incidence of asbestos-related disease in the area, which is consistent with a legacy of exposures more than 30 years ago. The Acting Chief Health Officer is now considering the information in this report. What happens now? The results of the environmental testing program have been completed as summarised in the Report. The Report shows that homes in the vicinity of the old Wunderlich site are safe to occupy and there is no current risk to residents. The Report does touch on epidemiological data regarding incidence rates of mesothelioma and lung cancer in the area, and the Acting Chief Health Officer is reviewing this data. The complexities around this issue make it difficult to determine whether these cases are of people who worked at Wunderlich, perhaps they were children who played on the site, or maybe they lived in the area while the factory was operating. The historical legacy of this site means that some people may have been exposed to asbestos while the factory was operating, however there is no current risk to residents our tests results of homes in the area show this. It is important, though, that all homeowners whether they live in Sunshine North or anywhere else in the state seek expert advice before undertaking home renovations, particularly in homes built between the 1940s and 1980s when asbestos was commonly used in building materials. About asbestos What is asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral which was mined in Australia as well as imported. Due to its unique combination of flexibility, tensile strength, insulation and chemical inertness (where it does not readily react with other elements), materials containing asbestos were very common in the Australian residential building industry between the 1940s and late 1980s. Asbestos fibres were frequently used to make building materials including fencing and roofing, and most frequently in a bonded form such as in asbestos cement (AC) sheeting where the fibres are tightly bound in the material. Asbestos fibres are 50 to 200 times thinner than a human hair, can float in the air for a long time, can be invisible to the naked eye and can be breathed into the lungs. There are three general types of asbestos commonly known as blue, brown or white asbestos. Blue asbestos is known to cause the most harm as the fibres are relatively long and thin, and therefore are more likely to reach the lungs rather than white asbestos. How are people exposed to asbestos? There are two categories for how people can be exposed to asbestos: Occupational exposure This type of exposure includes those who directly handle asbestos as well as those exposed by virtue of working in the close vicinity but not directly handling asbestos (e.g. receptionist in an asbestos factory). Non-occupational exposure - Environmental exposures, which occur from natural environmental sources of asbestos or historical industrial sources. Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North: Frequently asked questions 2

3 - Domestic exposures, which result from asbestos fibres being brought into the home on the clothing of a worker and particularly exposes the person cleaning them. - Neighbourhood exposures, which can occur when living in the vicinity of an operational commercial site such as a working mine or manufacturing facility. This may be in the form of asbestos fibres released directly into the air or from exposure to asbestos materials that had been incorporated into the neighbourhood environment. Is asbestos dangerous? We are all exposed to very low levels of asbestos in the air we breathe every day, and this very low background level of exposure is regarded as a negligible risk to health. Asbestos only poses a risk to health when the fibres are small enough to be breathed deeply into the lungs and, because of their shape, remain there. These are referred to as respirable fibres. When in good condition, bonded asbestos products do not normally release any asbestos fibres into the air, however cutting, drilling, sanding or grinding will release fibres which may be of a small enough size that can be breathed deeply into the lungs. This is why it is recommended that people seek expert advice before undertaking home renovations, in houses built between the 1940s and 1980s when asbestos was commonly used in building materials. Although there is no absolutely safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, occasional exposure to low levels of fibres poses only a low risk to health. Most people are also exposed to higher levels of asbestos at some time in their lives and for most people this kind of infrequent exposure is also unlikely to result in any illness. What is the difference between respirable and non-respirable? The term respirable describes the particular size and shape of asbestos fibres that make it possible for them to not only be breathed deeply into the lungs, but also remain there and cause disease. Non-respirable fibres typically refers to fibres that are too big to enter deeply into the lung. e.g. asbestos bundles that are caught in the nose or throat. What are the health risks of asbestos? Asbestos can cause a range of diseases, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, mesothelioma and lung cancer. They may take many years, and in the case of mesothelioma many decades, to develop. Pleural plaques are generally asymptomatic but may be evident on chest x-rays or other chest imaging. Asbestosis can present with breathlessness, tightness in the chest, or persistent coughing. It may be associated with abnormal lung function tests. Lung cancer most commonly presents with a persistent cough and may include haemoptysis, dyspnoea or weight loss. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may present with dyspnoea, chest pain (pleuritic or non-pleuritic), cough and weight loss, or any combinations of these symptoms. Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North: Frequently asked questions 3

4 Asbestos in the environment How much asbestos is in the environment generally? Background levels of asbestos fibres in outdoor urban air and residential buildings are considered to be around fibres per cubic metre. Since the average adult breathes in approximately 15 cubic metres of air per day, the average person breathes in around fibres per day and overall this level is tolerated by the lungs. Where is the asbestos in the Sunshine North area? Asbestos cement sheeting was a common building product and is likely to be present in a high proportion of houses in the area built during that time. It was used as a building material in eaves, backing for false brick cladding and as roofing and walls for outdoor sheds and garages. On 12 October 2014, the Herald Sun reported that asbestos had been found in the roof spaces of some homes in Sunshine North. Concerns were also raised about dumped asbestos in the area and asbestos being dug up by rabbits from the previously capped Wunderlich factory site. EPA has addressed the immediate issue through short term remediation and fencing and is requiring longer term improvements in the management of this site through remedial notices given to the property owner. What about asbestos at the Wunderlich factory? Asbestos building materials were produced at the Wunderlich factory site in Sunshine North from 1925 up until the end of The current occupier of the former Wunderlich factory site is Westend Market Hotel Pty Ltd. Part of the site is leased to Pickles Auctions as an overflow car park, and a further development is planned for another area. Westend Market Hotel Pty Ltd has responsibilities under the Site Management Plan to undertake regular inspections, independent annual audits and other reporting requirements to the EPA. Has the community been exposed to asbestos since the factory s closure? When the site closed in 1982, the remaining asbestos was buried and capped (covered) at the site as it provided the lowest risk of asbestos exposure to the community. This work was completed in The capping has contained the on-site asbestos since it was installed. However in the early 1990s some asbestos came to the surface around the boundary and required additional work to cover it. The current landowner must do monthly inspections and if required, remediation works. An independent Occupational Hygienist also conducts annual site inspections. Have the site operators been meeting EPA s standards around managing current risks on the site? There have been an infrequent number of minor issues that have resulted in the surfacing of small amounts of buried asbestos. EPA along with other regulators are now working with the site owners and surrounding businesses to put more sustainable solutions in place. The current owner of the former Wunderlich site is required to ensure the land at the rear of the premises has improvements in rabbit control to ensure no further asbestos is brought to the surface. Damaged fences along the rail corridor have been fixed and signs put in place to warn the community of possible contact with asbestos. Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North: Frequently asked questions 4

5 Environmental Testing Program What did the environmental testing program involve? The EPA and Department of Health and Human Services have undertaken a thorough testing program in line with national and international standards, investigating whether there are elevated levels of asbestos fibres in local roof spaces, soil and indoor air in Sunshine North, and if so, whether they pose a health risk to the community. The tests involved collecting samples of settled roof space dust, soil and air from two living areas in each of the 56 homes for analysis. All indoor air and ambient air samples were tested and measured against the Australian occupational standard method. In addition, highly sensitive analysis was undertaken using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method in the United States. The results have been analysed by AMCOSH, an occupational hygiene consultancy which has extensive experience in assessing asbestos contamination, and the Expert Advisory Group. How many houses did you test and how were they selected? In addition to retesting six of the ten homes tested by the Herald Sun, 50 homes within a three kilometre radius of the factory site were selected for testing. How were homes selected? Homes were selected based on building date, roof type, location and the willingness of the owner to participate. Settled roof dust, soil and air samples were taken from those homes for testing in line with national and international standards. Should you have tested more houses? (i.e. is 50 a big enough sample? / is the 3km radius enough?) The Expert Advisory Group considered this sample size was appropriate for the investigation to assess the general risk to the community, and, as asbestos was only found within 350m of the factory boundary, the 3km radius was determined to be sufficient scope. Who determined the nature of the tests? The Expert Advisory Group which includes an occupational physician and epidemiologist, a respiratory physician and a specialist in occupational environmental medicine oversaw the testing program methodology, and the test methods were consistent with Australian standards and international best practice. Why are there other experts who say you haven't done the right tests? The Expert Advisory Group, the Department of Health and Human Services and the EPA are absolutely confident that the right test methods were used. Who analysed the results and why did it take so long? All indoor air and ambient air samples were tested and measured against the Australian occupational standard method. In addition, highly sensitive analysis was undertaken using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method in the United States. Sending these results overseas took a bit longer but it was worth it for the additional certainty it provided. What were the results? The findings from the environmental testing program showed very low concentrations of non-respirable asbestos detected in the roof space dust and soil of a minority of homes. They were all assessed as posing a negligible risk to health. The tests showed no asbestos was detected in the roof space dust of 42 of the 54 homes sampled. All air monitoring for respirable asbestos fibres, including the very sensitive TEM analysis, were below the limit of detection and all homes were deemed safe to occupy with no further actions required. Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North: Frequently asked questions 5

6 Community engagement How much engagement has there been with the local community? A series of Community Open House events have been held since October 2014 to ensure the community has had opportunity to visit different information stations and informally meet with experts from the different agencies and departments involved to get the latest facts and their questions answered. A final Open House was held for all members of the community to talk about the investigation and the findings on 30 June 2015 at Victoria University Sunshine Convention Centre. What other information is available? Brimbank City Council website has been the one-stop shop for information about this issue. A series of community newsletters have been available online and distributed by letterbox drop to residents living in a 3kms radius to the old Wunderlich Factory site. Government representatives have also met with local MP Ms Natalie Suleyman and attended a number of community events to provide additional information. Health concerns Would you live in Sunshine North, in one of these homes? Yes. All of the homes tested have been assessed as safe to occupy. Can residents do anything to reduce the risk of getting an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma? The results show these homes are safe to occupy and that there is negligible risk from possible asbestos in the roof spaces in fact, the tests showed no asbestos was detected in the roof space dust of 42 of the 54 homes sampled. Asbestos only poses a risk to health when asbestos fibres are small enough to be breathed deeply into the lungs and, because of their shape, remain there. We are all exposed to very low levels of asbestos in the air we breathe every day, and this very low background level of exposure is regarded as a negligible risk to health. When in good condition, bonded asbestos products do not normally release any asbestos fibres into the air, however cutting, drilling, sanding or grinding will release fibres which may be of a small enough size that can be breathed deeply into the lungs. This is why it is recommended that people seek expert advice before undertaking home renovations, particularly in houses built between the 1940s and 1980s when asbestos was commonly used in building materials. What about the people who lived near or worked at the Wunderlich factory when it was operating? Asbestos building materials were produced at the Wunderlich factory site in Sunshine North from 1925 up until the end of So, we know that there were workers who would have been exposed to asbestos and may have brought fibres home on their clothes. Residents living near the factory may have also been exposed to asbestos fibres which may have blown off the site, and we know that some children even played in the asbestos dust. Are those people going to get mesothelioma? Asbestos is a known cause of mesothelioma, and poses a risk to health when the fibres are small enough to be breathed deeply into the lungs and, because of their shape, remain there. It is impossible to predict who or how many people may develop mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos, but we do know that prior to the factory closing in 1982, people were exposed to asbestos. Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North: Frequently asked questions 6

7 Is there a cancer cluster in Sunshine North? Testing shows that there is no current risk of asbestos exposure and the testing that has been undertaken shows that homes in the vicinity of the old Wunderlich factory site are safe to occupy. We know that the legacy of this site may mean that people who worked at the factory when it was in operation or lived nearby may have been exposed to asbestos. When this issue arose in October last year, the Acting Chief Health Officer requested the Victorian Cancer Registry to provide data on cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer involving people living around the site. Data has also been collected from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset to determine whether there were more than expected admissions for people living near the former asbestos factory in Sunshine North. The data does indicate that there have been a higher number of cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer in the area than would be expected, however it is difficult to determine whether these cases are of people who worked at Wunderlich, played on the site or simply lived in the area. Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer so without smoking data going back several decades, we cannot tell whether Sunshine North has more lung cancer cases compared to the rest of Victoria because of smoking rates. Living with asbestos What can residents do to protect themselves and their family if they live in a home with asbestos? Residents should make sure any asbestos in the home is in good condition and seek expert advice before entering roof spaces or undertaking home renovations, especially in houses built between the 1940s and 1980s when asbestos was commonly used in building materials. Will the Government do anything to help remove asbestos from homes? There is no need to remove asbestos from homes if it is undisturbed or unbroken. When in good condition, bonded asbestos products do not normally release any asbestos fibres into the air, however cutting, drilling, sanding or grinding will release fibres which may be of a small enough size that can be breathed deeply into the lungs. So, if it is being removed, either because it s broken or as part of renovations, make sure you use a licensed removalist. The Government doesn t fund the removal of asbestos from homes. What if the asbestos building materials in these homes is removed, does it become respirable then? When in good condition, bonded asbestos products do not normally release any asbestos fibres into the air, however cutting, drilling, sanding or grinding will release fibres which may be of a small enough size that can be breathed deeply into the lungs. So, if it is being removed, either because it s broken or as part of renovations, make sure you use a licensed removalist. Has the publicity around asbestos in Sunshine North damaged home values? The publicity around this issue has certainly raised community concern which is why we have conducted this very thorough testing. The results are clear and residents can be confident that their homes are safe to occupy. Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North: Frequently asked questions 7

8 Do pink batts contain asbestos? No. Is it safe to eat my home grown vegetables and fruit? Yes. They are safe to eat. However, general advice is that vegetables and fruit should always be washed before they are eaten. More information Brimbank Council has a Sunshine North asbestos information hub on their website at This site includes: Investigation into Asbestos-related disease in Sunshine North Report (June 2015) Asbestos concerns in Sunshine North: Summary of results of home testing fact sheet Asbestos concerns in Sunshine North: Selecting properties for testing fact sheet Asbestos concerns in Sunshine North: Roof space dust and your home fact sheet Asbestos concerns in Sunshine North: Managing hazards in roof spaces fact sheet Asbestos concerns in Sunshine North: Facts about asbestos exposure fact sheet Copies of all community updates in English, Mandarin and Vietnamese Cancer and asbestos fact sheet Identifying and dealing with asbestos in your home - A Guide for householders and the general public. Key contacts: Brimbank City Council on (03) Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on Department of Health & Human Services (Environmental Health) on Subscribe for updates at asbestosinfo@brimbank.vic.gov.au Note: If you live in public housing, contact your public housing officer. Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. State of Victoria, June Answering your questions about asbestos in Sunshine North: Frequently asked questions 8