Top 5 Asbestos Disasters of All Time

Asbestos is a dangerous material – there is no debating that. Asbestos disasters can occur in a range of ways, from fires to earthquakes, hurricanes and more. With an estimated 107,000 – 112,000 asbestos-related deaths worldwide by 2016, as stated by the World Health Organization and International Labour Organization, this is a serious problem.  We dive deep into the worst asbestos incidents exploring the top 5 asbestos disasters of all time. We also give insight on what to do if you experience an asbestos disaster.

1. Malibu, California  – Fire (1993)

When a fire hit the coastal community of Malibu, 268 houses were destroyed. When clearing the debris, the California State discovered that many of the houses that had burned down contained asbestos.

Amongst removing the debris and completing residential cleanups, homeowners could have come in contact with the hazardous material. While the number is unknown, asbestos has detrimental effects on those who are in close contact.

2. Joplin, Missouri  – Tornado (2011)

The catastrophic tornado that invaded Missouri left 150 people dead and over 900 injured. There were also over 8,000 buildings that were destroyed when the tornado hit. The asbestos in the air was of high concern even two months following the event due to the amount of debris containing particles.

3. Sendai, Japan  – Earthquake (2011)

The earthquake that hit Japan in 2011 took many lives and people’s homes as a result of the tsunamis that occurred afterwards. Unfortunately, many structures were built before 2006 when Japan placed a ban on using asbestos. When the homes crumbled it became known that asbestos particles were released into the air.

It was difficult for experts to determine how much asbestos was among the debris but the ministry of safety distributed 90, 000 masks to prevent damage. Sadly, many were uneducated about the dangers of asbestos and therefore chose not to use the masks. When responding to the disaster one worker said, “We all die of something someday, I’ve been in manufacturing my entire life and have been around all sorts of toxins, including asbestos”.

4. Louisiana, New Orleans – Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Hurricane Katrina, one of the top five deadliest hurricanes in U.S history, has devastated thousands of people killing at least 1,836. As you may be able to guess, the homes that were lost in the natural disaster were built a time where asbestos had not been banned yet. There were over 9,375,000 cubic feet of debris that was removed, containing asbestos.

To speed up the removal process, the asbestos regulations were very strict. Sadly, this has resulted in asbestos harm that is still prevalent today and the cause of many deaths.

5. Christchurch, New Zealand –  Earthquake (2011)

With another disastrous natural event in 2011, it was not a good year for asbestos prevention. The tragic earthquake in Christchurch impacted people in ways no one would have imagined. There was 4.2 million tons of rubble and many old buildings that had been demolished. In turn, there was no way to escape the asbestos outbreak.

There are still people who suffer effects from the asbestos, due to the fact that it can take up to 50 years for symptoms to present. A common health concern with asbestos is the deadly mesothelioma cancer that affects internal organs.

Steps to take if you’re impacted by an asbestos disaster

If you ever find yourself in an asbestos disaster there are many ways you can protect yourself from the harmful particles:

• Monitor your symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath & persistent coughing are a few to keep in mind.
• Use protective masks or clothing: If you are in an area that may be affected by an asbestos outbreak, be sure to wear a filtered face mask, an ordinary dust mask won’t suffice.
• Avoid going near the material that could contain asbestos such as roofing felt, insulation, heating & cooling systems and more.
• If you believe you have been in contact with asbestos, contact a health care professional immediately.

Disaster Prevention

While there is no way to prevent natural disasters from happening, if one does you should not attempt to remove it on your own. Asbestos is a serious matter and an accident or disaster involving asbestos should not be taken lightly. If you are dealing with asbestos it’s always best to have a professional handle the dangerous substance. At A&B Asrem, we provide professional asbestos removal services in Melbourne and its surrounding areas such as McKinnon, Bentleigh, Caulfield and Carnegie. At A&B Asrem we are fully licensed and are able to conduct asbestos testing, inspection and removal in a safe and timely manner. Asbestos is a highly dangerous material, so contact us today if you even suspect that you may have asbestos in your home.