Asbestos was a commonly used product used in homes built before 1990. Asbestos and asbestos products are known to be the cause of some respiratory diseases. As such, care must be taken when handling and removing asbestos to ensure that the health risk is minimised.

In most cases, the presence of asbestos cement building materials in a home is no cause for alarm. If the materials are in a good condition and are not disturbed, they do not present a health hazard. Disturbing the material (e.g. by removal) may create a health hazard.

Further information can be found on the WA Department of Health website