HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral made up of small fibres. In the past, it was used in building materials because of its strength and heat-resistance.
The most common place to find asbestos in New Zealand homes is in asbestos cement. It can also be in floor backing, textured ceilings, lagging around pipes, and insulation.
Asbestos was used a lot in New Zealand until the 1980s. After that, the health risks became known and it was phased out. Houses built before 1984 are most at risk of containing asbestos.
The harmful effects of asbestos
When someone breathes in asbestos dust, the small fibres get into the lungs. The effects of asbestos exposure can take as long as 40 years to show themselves. Even so, asbestos-related lung disease is rare. More often than not, small amounts of exposure to asbestos at work or in the home do not result in long-term harmful effects.
Asbestos exposure can cause:
- pleural plaques (thickening of the lung lining). These aren't harmful but they are a sign of asbestos exposure
- lung cancer
- mesothelioma (a form of cancer that affects the lung lining). For more information see the Cancer Society of New Zealand's page on mesothelioma
- asbestosis (scarring of the lungs).
Exposure to asbestos
Important
If you may have been exposed to asbestos in the past, report any lung symptoms like persistent cough, breathing problems and coughing up blood to your GP.
If you have lung symptoms, they could be the result of exposure to asbestos up to 40 years ago. Your GP may ask you to have some tests. These could include a chest X-ray, a CT scan of your chest and spirometry.
Exposure around your house
The risk of harm from exposure to asbestos around your house is very low. You are unlikely to need any further tests.
You should still take precautions to avoid breathing in asbestos fibres.
Exposure to asbestos through your work
You are most at risk if you have worked with asbestos in the past, for example, in the shipbuilding, construction, insulation, electrical, pipe fitting or demolition industries. The risk is greater if you have worked with asbestos over many years.
If you may have been exposed to asbestos through your job, you, your employer, or your GP will need to notify WorkSafe New Zealand. If your health needs to be monitored, this will be arranged through WorkSafe New Zealand. Usually your employer will pay for this.
Your GP should also lodge an ACC Claim.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Ministry of Health – All about asbestos
This page has information about identifying asbestos-containing material in your home, the health risks of asbestos, and what you can do about asbestos.
- Patient.info – Asbestos-related diseases
Information about diseases caused by asbestos, including pleural plaques, lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created August 2017. Last updated July 2019.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HIASB-321684
