THE remnants of Mr Fluffy’s spread has reached “disaster” proportions in Canberra.
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One resident recently described the issue as a “tragedy” of equal proportions to the 2003 Canberra bushfires.
The deadly loose-fill asbestos was spread throughout more than 70 Canberra suburbs by the Mr Fluffy company in the 1970s, with homes in Curtin, Pearce and Kambah most heavily affected.
More than 1000 homes had the product pumped into roof and wall spaces.
Many were missed by a $100 million federal government-funded removal program in the 1980s and ‘90s.
One resident, who had the product installed in her Canberra home in 1976, told the Canberra Times she was “assured it was mineral wool and definitely not asbestos”.
“When we decided to extend our home in 1985 and this blue fluffy stuff blew all around the house, we discovered it was asbestos and we became homeless,” she said.
The ACT Government has arranged financial assistance to affected households, who have been advised to evacuate their homes immediately.
Homes in Queanbeyan, and further afield, such as on the South Coast, are not included in the identification program, nor will affected home owners be compensated.
But just because the spread of Mr Fluffy on the South Coast is largely unknown, does not mean residents should be complacent.
At least one home in the Eurobodalla was affected in Batehaven and there could be more.
The unrest in Canberra is a timely reminder for owners of older homes to have them checked by qualified professionals.
Tradies working on older homes should take the proper precautions too.