April 7th, 2005

It is estimated that around 60 families in the Queanbeyan area of New South Wales are feared to be living in homes contaminated with asbestos. The city council has expressed concerns for the families in question, and has stated that there could be loose asbestos fibers in the air. Asbestos fibers are the known cause of a variety of diseases when ingested, including mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that can affect the lungs, heart, and abdomen.

Asbestos was a widely used substance in the 1950s till the 1970s or 80s, and is therefore found in many homes, where it was used in floor tiles, ceilings, as insulation, and in other areas of the home. Hundreds of houses in this New South Wales area are also thought to have been affected, and hence the council fears that the families living in the homes could be at risk from the exposure.

It is not known exactly how many homes are affected, and there are concerns by officials that people may not come forward through fear of what the discovery of asbestos might cost them. One official stated: "They may be fearful that if it's discovered in their homes it'll cost them a fortune to remove it."

It is thought that the project could cost as much as five million dollars, and it is hoped that the New South Wales and Federal Governments will help to fund the project.