HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Asbestos
Tēpoko
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. Small amounts of exposure to asbestos at work or in the home do not usually result in long-term harmful effects.
Asbestos exposure can cause:
- pleural plaques (thickening of the lung lining). These are not 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 to your general practice team. Symptoms of concern include persistent cough, breathing problems and coughing up blood.
If you have lung symptoms, they could be the result of exposure to asbestos up to 40 years ago. Your general practice team 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.
Even if your home contains materials with asbestos, these will not cause any harm if they are in good condition. There can be a risk if the surface is disturbed such as by drilling or sanding during renovations.
Any asbestos exposure around your house following the Canterbury earthquakes and during earthquake repairs is unlikely to have caused any harm.
See Removing asbestos from your home for more detailed information about asbestos in the home.
You should take precautions to avoid breathing in asbestos fibres during any home repairs or renovations.
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 general practice team 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 general practice team should also lodge an ACC Claim.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2024.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HIASB-321684
