While it is part of our environment, its presence in your house, garden or workplace does not mean you are going to get an asbestos related disease.

Asbestos should be removed if it is in a bad condition – broken and crumbling enough to run the risk of shedding fibres. In this case there are a few simple and clear procedures you need to follow to ensure it is disposed of safely, either by yourself or by professional asbestos removal services. There are also federal and state/territory laws and regulations that you need to comply with.

The important thing is to recognise that asbestos is not a ‘yesterday’ issue. With many of the buildings constructed in the postwar asbestos building boom now coming to the end of their lifespan, renovators need to be aware that they are more than likely than not to come across asbestos in the fabric of your homes. It is important to know how to recognise it and what to do with it when you find it.

This section looks at where you may find asbestos in your home or at your workplace, give information about how to handle it, and where to go to for advice in your state or territory.