Find Out if Your Home is Exposed to Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation

With the Federal Government committing $1 billion to buy and demolish more than 1000 Canberra homes contaminated by “Mr Fluffy” loose fill asbestos insulation, attention has now turned to locating NSW properties potentially containing the deadly product.

Sold as ceiling insulation in the 1960s and 70s, pure amosite, or brown asbestos, was crushed into a fine state and pumped directly into the ceilings of residential and commercial properties.

The loose nature of the cancer-causing fibres allows them to easily become airborne, where they can be inhaled and lodge in the lungs, causing a number of diseases.

So far 21 NSW properties have been confirmed to contain loose fill asbestos, with tests currently being undertaken on more than 700 other properties in 26 council areas.

As well as Canberra-based company Mr Fluffy, it is believed two other contractors may have installed the product in NSW homes at around the same time.

The NSW Government is attempting to establish the scale of the problem before making a decision on the most appropriate remedial action.

Concerned residents in homes built before 1980 can contact WorkCover on 13 10 50 to see if they are eligible to have their property tested and assessed for the material free of charge.

Ceiling insulation tests are currently being provided across 26 local government areas, including Bankstown, Ku-ring-gai, Manly, North Sydney, Parramatta, The Hills, and Warringah councils.

If you suspect your home contains loose fill asbestos, it is essential that you do not undertake any renovation work that alters walls or ceilings, or that removes wall sockets, cornices, or cabling.

An occupational hygienist can advise whether your ceiling is well sealed as well as testing to see if asbestos fibres have migrated into living spaces of the home.

Only specialist tradespeople can work in areas containing loose fill asbestos.

For homes containing asbestos insulation, a warning sticker should be placed in the switchboard to ensure tradespeople are aware of the risk.