Asbestos can be found in brick, weatherboard, clad and fibro homes behind wall and floor tiles, under floorcoverings including carpets and, in walls, ceilings, roofs, gutters and even dog kennels. It could be anywhere.Sadly, current research tells us that people are unknowingly exposing themselves and their families to dangerous asbestos fibres during home renovations, and with TV renovating programs fuelling the popularity of DIY, during national Asbestos Awareness Month 

Together with my fellow ambassadors Cherie Barber, Scott Cam, Barry Du Bois, John Jarratt and Scott McGregor we hope to help save the lives of people like Mrs Carol Klintfält OAM, who tragically lost her battle with malignant mesothelioma on 7 November, 2014. Carol developed mesothelioma because she inhaled asbestos fibres when working with an architect and while handling fibro sheets when renovating the family home in the 1970s.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that usually develops between 20-50 years after inhaling asbestos fibres. There is no cure and the average survival time after diagnosis is only 10-12 months - hard hitting statistics none of us can ignore.  An extraordinary woman, Carol was more than a statistic. When she lost her battle with asbestos-related disease, her family lost a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister and many lost a very dear and special friend. This family were no different to the hundreds and thousands of homeowners throughout Australia. When they renovated their home, they didn't know the dangers or that the impact of working with asbestos would be devastating.

 One in every three homes built or renovated before 1987 will contain asbestos products all Australians need to 'Get to kNOw asbestos this NOvember' and visit www.asbestosawareness.com.au to learn the dangers of asbestos and how to manage it safely because it's not worth the risk.

Don Burke OAM, Asbestos Awareness Ambassador