Media Enquiries:
Edward Lukac, South Australian Archicentre spokesperson (08) 8228 0300
Mobile: 0419 817 445
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre Mobile: 0417 329 201
Media Release
6 August 2010
Renovators and Buyers of Old Homes Warned
ASBESTOS NOT JUST IN THE WALLS
Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects today issued a
warning to renovators and home owners that asbestos was not just to be found in the walls of the
building but could also be present in a range of other products including linoleum.
The asbestos warning follows after an incident at a renovation of a property where the home owner called
Archicentre about asbestos in floor coverings. The home owners purchased a 50 to 60 yr old home and
discovered while ripping up the floor coverings and having them tested that the "lino" is 70 to 80%
asbestos.
Edward Lukac, South Australian Archicentre spokesperson said the real risk of exposure to asbestos
fibres and dust occurs with the demolition of walls or roofs during renovation of a property, drilling
or cutting of products containing asbestos or even the removal of old linoleum or vinyl tiles.
Mr Lukac said “It is vital for everyone to understand that once you disturb asbestos people must
recognise the extreme health risks involved for home owners and their families of the diseases
which can be caused by asbestos dust.
“These include asbestosis (a progressive, fibrotic lung disease causing increasing breathlessness), lung
cancer and mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer affecting the lining of the chest cavity and the covering of
the lungs or, less often, the lining of the abdominal cavity and the covering of abdominal organs).
“These diseases can occur many years after the exposure to asbestos dust has ceased, but the likelihood of
a person contracting an asbestos-related disease increases as the intensity and duration of the exposure
increases.”
Mr Lukac said large numbers of houses throughout Australia have been constructed using asbestos-cement
products as internal and external walls, ceilings and roofing. Asbestos was used in flat sheet fibro cement
building products up to 1982 and in corrugated fibro-cement roofing material up to 1986 because of its
cheapness and ease of installation.
Asbestos sheeting or other materials containing asbestos should always be removed by a specialist
contractor who will also arrange for its disposal in a landfill registered to take asbestos materials, Mr
Lukac added.
NEWS 
