Worst Cases of Asbestos Exposure After Natural Disasters

Asbestos exposure is something that many people only think about when undertaking renovations or house demolition. In those instances, asbestos removal teams have plans in place to ensure that, at each stage of the removal process, the utmost care is taken. 

In the event of natural disasters, though, those steps are a bit more chaotic and unsure. There is no time to form meticulous plans and minimise the risk of exposure. Instead, exposure can occur as soon as a natural disaster takes hold.

Read on to learn more about the worst cases of asbestos exposure after natural disasters, as well as how you can do your part to keep everyone safe in the event of a natural disaster in your own backyard.

Yarloop Bushfire

In 2016, a lightning strike caused a significant bushfire in the Western Australian town of Yarloop. The blaze took over two weeks to extinguish and ripped through nearly 70,000 hectares of land. Two lives were lost, and 181 buildings and homes were destroyed.

If the mass devastation wasn’t enough, asbestos threw another spanner in the works. Given the danger to life, a complex and time-consuming process had to be undertaken to help the area recover.

That process was further complicated by a misconception by many townspeople that asbestos would be taken care of by the fire. In reality, it’s more of a risk to human health after a fire than when it’s in good condition before a fire.

To date, Western Australia remains the hotspot for asbestos-related diseases, even though it has not been used in building materials for over three decades. Currently, there are five cases of incurable cancer known as mesothelioma, for every 100,000 people.

Queensland Flooding

In 2011, a devastating flood caused significant damage in Queensland. Homeowners not only had to contend with damaged possessions and homes, but they also had to be wary of the potential for asbestos exposure. 

Many residents began repairing their homes and cleaning up without help and advice from experts. That included ripping out water-damaged sheeting and walls, much of which could have (and often did) contain asbestos.

Some residents were torn between waiting for assistance from asbestos removalists, or undertaking the task themselves as the damage continued to worsen. As a result, there was a genuine risk of exposure to hazardous materials.

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf Coast in 2005, and it affected families and individuals up and down the country. Not only did the hurricane cause over $80 billion in damages, but it also reiterated just how dangerous asbestos exposure could be. Destroyed buildings and homes were being cleaned up by those who did not have the proper training or experience to handle contaminated building materials.

Everything from insulation, tiles, and roofing materials, to building siding and general building materials, were releasing asbestos dust into the air that could have serious future consequences. There is expected to be a rise of mesothelioma cases from both the 2005 Hurricane Katrina and the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Japan Earthquake

In 2011, a magnitude-9 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, resulting in 133-foot tsunami waves, nuclear accidents, and upwards of USD 34.6 billion in insured damages. At the time, it was the fourth most powerful earthquake the world had seen since record-keeping began in 1900.

Given that hundreds of thousands of buildings were damaged, asbestos exposure was the last thing on many people’s minds. Still, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t essential and didn’t have an impact. Japan had millions of tons of asbestos, and the devastation of buildings containing it led to significant health risks.

Fortunately, Japan took a proactive response. One month after the tsunami and earthquake, government officials launched an asbestos education program to protect clean-up workers. Experts and non-governmental organisations were also relied upon for assistance, and over 90,000 masks were distributed.

Woolsey Fire

A destructive wildfire in California burned across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in 2018 and 2019. Nearly 40,000 hectares of land were burned, and almost 1,700 structures. Three people died, and close to 300,000 people were evacuated.

Given that people are beginning to understand the risks of asbestos, California state officials were proactive in their management of asbestos risks. Asbestos surveys and asbestos abatements were carried out across both counties.

Christchurch Earthquakes

Devastating natural disasters happen around the world, and little ol’ New Zealand isn’t immune to them. Christchurch experienced catastrophic earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, resulting in 185 deaths and millions of dollars in damage. Around 4.25 million tons of rubble had to be removed, and a significant proportion of it contained asbestos.

Each damaged home that was thought to contain asbestos had to be sampled and tested. Management plans then had to be prepared for the removal of asbestos to prevent a widespread health risk.

Plan for the Unexpected

No one ever dreams that they will end up in the chaos and confusion of a natural disaster. Still, they can happen without warning, and with little time to prepare. While you may not be able to minimise your property’s destruction, you can make the after-effects safer for all. Why not talk to your local asbestos removal experts about asbestos testing and removal? Being aware of the risks in your home is half the solution.