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The Bernie Banton Foundation is reminding people that asbestos is still a deadly risk for those dealing with construction, and especially home renovators. The issue is being highlighted with an awareness campaign this week.
The Foundation, which is run by Bernie Banton's widow Karen Banton and her new partner Rod Smith, who also lost his wife to asbestos, wants to remind Australians to look out for the dangers. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious and fatal illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos risks
- Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of mesothelioma in the world
- Close to five million homes or 1 out of every 2 Australian homes still has asbestos
- All houses built or renovated prior to 1990 could contain asbests
- Mesothelioma and asbestos related cancer are on the increase
- In 2017 710 people were diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2016 it was 700 people
- Breathing in asbestos dust is deadly and can kill you
- Two people per day are diagnosed with mesothelioma asbestos cancer
- This rare and aggressive cancer has no cure
- The average time between diagnosis and death is around 11 months (according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
“Bernie and I gave some thought to the idea of a foundation bearing his name, around the time of his diagnosis with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, in August 2007. Following Bernie’s initial diagnosis of asbestosis in 1999, he became a passionate fighter for justice on behalf of asbestos disease sufferers and their families. Bernie was also a man of great compassion. He felt it both humbling and an honour to effect positive change and inject hope for Australians everywhere, through his ‘never take no for an answer’ attitude,” says Karen Banton.
More information at: www.berniebanton.com.au
Image: 123RF's Rafael Ben-Ari © 123RF.com