What’s the risk of asbestos in older homes?

The historical coastal “character” suburbs established pre-1970 and the rapid mass-expansion corridors developed during the 1970s and 1980s have a higher asbestos risk than newer homes. These clusters correspond precisely with the peak period of inexpensive asbestos cement usage in Australian residential construction.

1 in 3 Aussie homes contain asbestos

The prevalence is high in standard applications such as roofing, external and internal wall sheeting (particularly in wet areas), eaves, and utility components like meter box backing.

History

Asbestos was first adopted in the 1880s for insulation and fireproofing. Australian manufacturing of ACMs commenced in the 1920s, leading to widespread use across residential and commercial sectors through the mid-1940s and beyond. The material was valued for its durability, insulation, and fire resistance, finding its way into over 3,000 product types

asbestos-containing materials were used in millions of Australian homes up until the 1990s. project managers must recognize that legacy materials or inventory purchased prior to the definitive phase-out may have been utilized in construction well into the early 1990s. This necessitates that enhanced due diligence should be extended to properties constructed between 1990 and 1995, maintaining scrutiny beyond the generic pre-1990 threshold.

Common bonded asbestos cement products used in pre-1987 construction in Queensland included corrugated and flat fibro sheeting, water drainage and flue pipes, roofing shingles, guttering, and the backing of floor coverings.

Health Risks

Asbestos exposure is linked to serious health conditions, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, and is estimated to cause 4,449 deaths per year from occupational exposure alone. 

A critical finding reveals that non-occupational exposure, primarily linked to Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home renovation projects, accounts for over half of all mesothelioma deaths. Failing to safely manage ACMs during home renovations risks exposing not only the contractors or homeowners but also family members, children, and neighbors.

High land values incentivise the immediate demolition of older, typically smaller homes. If this demolition or repair work is not performed by licensed professionals adhering to strict protocols, major disturbances—such as the high-pressure cleaning of asbestos cement roofs—can release fibres throughout the local environment,