With a growing number of sites around Sydney found to contain potentially life-threatening asbestos, some Sydneysiders are erring on the side of caution and are taking steps to protect themselves and their families. 

Aussie Pharma Direct, an Australian health and wellbeing e-retailer, has noticed a sudden 120 per cent spike in the sale of their P2 face masks in the Sydney metropolitan area which they are attributing to the asbestos health scare. 

“Thanks to the pandemic, everyone is well acquainted with how a face mask can protect you from airborne contaminants, but this time, instead of Covid, people are wanting to ensure they don’t breathe in asbestos that may be released from contaminated mulch that is being found in parks, schools, hospitals, infrastructure project sites, and rail corridors,” says Daniel Seldon from Aussie Pharma Direct. 

Why is asbestos so dangerous? 

Widely used as a building material between the 1940s and 1980s, asbestos was banned in 2003 when the serious health implications it caused came to light. 

Its tiny fibres are easily breathed in and can lodge in the lungs. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung and ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma, an incurable tumour of the tissue that lines the lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs. 

Asbestos fibres are 50 to 200 times thinner than a human hair, so when they are breathed in, they can get caught in the lung’s air sacs. This causes the immune system to go into overdrive to try to remove them, and it is this chronic inflammation response that can lead to cancer. In addition, the inflammation can scar lung tissue which can lead to a respiratory condition called asbestosis which causes a shortness of breath.

“Even short periods of exposure can lead to cancer, so it’s understandable that people are worried about coming into contact with this insidious material,” says Seldon. “This is especially a worry for the parents of children who naturally play in mulched areas of park land". 

Which is the worst kind of asbestos?

There are two types of asbestos: bonded (or non-friable), and friable.

Bonded asbestos is mixed with cement, vinyl, resin or similar material which keeps the fibres in place. It poses no risk unless it is damaged, sawn, sanded, crushed, aged and weathered, or drilled. In this case, it may release fibres and become friable.

Friable asbestos is the dangerous version as it can easily become airborne and breathed in. It is loose to touch, crumbly, and/or can be easily reduced to powder and it should only be handled by a licensed asbestos removalist.

“Just like we learnt how to protect ourselves from Covid, it’s equally important for Sydneysiders to minimise potential contact with any harmful asbestos in the environment. Prevention is better than cure, so wearing a face mask is a small, but highly effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones,” states Seldon.

For more information, visit https://www.aussiepharmadirect.com.au/collections/amd-p2-face-mask to source Australian manufactured P2 face masks for peace of mind protection.