Asbestos danger predicited to rise

A CRC student is conducting research into a hazard which could have prevented the death of his grandfather.

Darryl Dixon lost his grandfather after he suffered complications associated with asbestosis shortly after Darryl started his Masters of Emergency Management at Charles Sturt University.

Darryl says if his research increases awareness of the risks surrounding asbestos and reduces diseases then it has been worth it.

The Exposure of emergency service personnel to asbestos project showcases Darryl’s research on the training, policies and procedures which take place when there is contact with asbestos.

“Australia is predicted to have the largest incidence of asbestos-related diseases over the next decade,” Mr Dixon says.

Mr Dixon spoke about the risks of asbestos in buildings at the CRC’s Research Advisory Forum in Sydney where he joined three other students as part of a three-minute-thesis presentation.

Darryl has seen asbestos in many emergency situations as a former member of the NSW Police Force and as a current volunteer for NSW Rural Fire Service. He says he did not have any situational awareness until he began his research.

“Asbestos can create a major health and environmental hazard to not only emergency service personnel, but the residents, animals, visitors and media.”

It is estimated one in three homes built before 2003 will contain asbestos.

Darryl’s student project looks at the training, policies and procedures when there is contact with asbestos.

120 end-users, partners and researchers attended the Forum which ran across two days where there were opportunities for deep discussion and networking events.

The next RAF is scheduled to take place in October.