Australia faces a new and silent health emergency as asbestos-related diseases shift from industrial settings to suburban homes. Legal experts warn that what they term the 'third wave' of asbestos exposure now represents the most pressing danger to public health in 2025.
The Changing Face of Asbestos Danger
For decades, asbestos diseases were primarily associated with workplace exposure. The first wave affected miners, shipbuilders, and industrial workers, while the second wave impacted tradespeople like carpenters and electricians. Today, the threat has moved closer to home.
Michelle Walsh, partner and asbestos diseases lawyer at Turner Freeman Lawyers in Wollongong, explains this dangerous evolution. "The third wave is not defined by occupation but by environment," she states. "It encompasses the risk to everyday Australians exposed during renovations, maintenance of older buildings, DIY projects, and even in community environments where asbestos-containing materials still sit silently in walls, eaves, and roofs."
Why Home Renovations Pose Grave Risks
The invisibility of this threat makes it particularly dangerous. Unlike historical workplace exposures with safety protocols, modern incidents often occur without protective equipment or warnings. Homeowners undertaking renovations frequently don't realize they're cutting, drilling, or removing materials containing asbestos.
Compensation claims for non-work related asbestos exposure typically involve victims diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma - an incurable and painful cancer of the lung lining (pleura) or, less commonly, the abdominal cavity lining (peritoneum). Asbestos remains the only known cause of mesothelioma in Australia.
These claims generally stem from exposure during home building or renovation work, either through direct involvement or simply living in a home where work occurred. Other exposure pathways include washing clothing of household members who worked with asbestos, or visiting sites where asbestos products were manufactured or used.
Legal Rights and Compensation Pathways
Victims of asbestos disease acquired through home renovation or other non-work exposure can pursue negligence claims against manufacturers of the asbestos products they encountered. "The claim process is exactly the same as for workplace exposure," Michelle Walsh confirms.
All such claims are filed in the Dust Diseases Tribunal of NSW, a specialist court established in 1989 specifically to handle cases involving dust-related diseases like mesothelioma. Successful claims can include compensation for multiple aspects of suffering and loss.
Damages may cover pain and suffering, loss of life expectancy, medical expenses, lost wages, and costs for domestic care and assistance. Early legal consultation is crucial, as starting a claim during the claimant's lifetime preserves the right to general damages for pain and suffering.
Australians concerned about potential exposure should contact Turner Freeman Lawyers at 4220 5250 or visit turnerfreeman.com.au for professional advice regarding their specific situation and legal rights.
