In the land down under, asbestos has been a hot topic in recent months. Australian workers are worried about asbestos exposure from various products, as well as the inability of corporations like James Hardie to compensate victims of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma. One bright spot in this asbestos furor comes from an Aboriginal village.

Max Munro, the chairman of the Merriman’s Local Aboriginal Land Council, is pleased to announce that the cleanup of asbestos has been completed at a once-contaminated site at a Wallaga Lake koori village. The project, completed over the course of about a month, was overseen by contractor Nature Coast Demolition and Asbestos. A detailed site management plan was developed by independent experts from the asbestos management firm Parsons Brinkerhoff.

The cleanup of asbestos is vital, as exposure to even a small amount of the material can lead to mesothelioma, a rare cancer that sometimes kills within months of being diagnosed. The cancer affects thousands of new patients each year, and is incurable. However, mesothelioma treatment methods, including chemotherapy and surgery, do help some patients battle the disease.

“The cleanup has focused on regularly used areas in the village such as backyards and along pathways, as well as the old tip site and an area in front of our preschool,” Munro said.

“This is a great result for the community and we are satisfied the job has been done well. We were pleased that local people were employed as part of the clean-up crew. They wore special protective clothing at all times. This whole issue is a community issue and Merriman’s will work with all relevant groups to keep everyone informed of what is happening.”

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