‘Betty’ the Asbestos Disease Research Institute (ADRI) House paid a special visit to Armidale as part of her maiden NSW regional tour to alert residents about the dangers of asbestos when renovating or maintaining homes.
Armidale Dumaresq Council Mayor Jim Maher, together with a curious onlooker, inspected the special ‘house’ first-hand at the Armidale Visitor Information Centre.
Councillor Maher said he was glad to see the community interested in seeing the likely places asbestos can be found around the home, which are shown in the miniature mobile house.
“A display like this makes the issue easier to comprehend.”
A purpose built education exhibit the size of a caravan and the first of its kind in Australia and the world, ‘Betty – the ADRI House’ is the initiative of ADRI in partnership with the Asbestos Education Committee (AEC) and escorted by dedicated volunteers, Geoff and Karen Wicks, who advise residents of the multiple locations where asbestos might be found in and around the home.
‘Betty’ and the website www.asbestosawareness.com.au form the first line of defence against the third wave of asbestos-related diseases in Australia.
With almost every Australian home built or renovated before 1987 likely to contain asbestos in one form or another, the third wave of people affected by mesothelioma (an incurable asbestos-related cancer), will continue to rise unless Australians take seriously the dangers of asbestos when renovating or maintaining their homes.
Professor Nico van Zandwijk, a world leader in asbestos-related diseases and Director of Australia’s ADRI said he wanted all Australians to stop being complacent about how they work with asbestos.
“We want them to start thinking smart and safe.”
While asbestos does not pose a health risk if left undisturbed, ADRI discourages DIY where asbestos is present.
