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Australian-manufactured carpet underlay may pose asbestos exposure risk
Australian health officials have issued a public safety warning regarding the possible presence of asbestos in carpet underlay in older homes throughout the country. According to director of environmental health Jim Dodds, "While the likelihood of asbestos fibers being present in carpet underlay is low, people should remain vigilant when removing old carpets. The Department of Health has recently tested samples of carpet underlay from a number of older houses across Perth but this is the first time any traces of asbestos have been found."
"We also tested carpet and other surfaces in rooms of the home with the affected underlay but there was no evidence that the asbestos had spread from underneath the carpet."
Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, as well as many other cancers and pulmonary illnesses. While there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemotherapy, mesothelioma has no known cure. Many mesothelioma patients lose their battle with this form of cancer within 24 months.
"We will continue to test carpet underlay samples from homes with old carpets to get a clearer picture of the level of risk and the proportion of homes that might be affected. Our main focus is on original underlay that was installed under carpets laid before 1970. I would recommend that people considering replacing carpets that are known to be more than about 40 years old contact the Department of Health to discuss whether a sample of the underlay should be tested as a precaution, before it is disturbed," Dodds said.