Following the referendum in Timor-Leste in September 1999, there was considerable unrest which resulted in the destruction of buildings and other property. Unbeknown to the Defence Force at that time, many of these buildings were constructed with materials containing asbestos. As a result of their destruction we now know that Defence Force people could potentially have been exposed to asbestos fibres.
While the New Zealand Defence Force has assessed the risk of ill health for the group of people deployed to Timor-Leste at this time as being “low”, it is important that our people are properly informed.
The purpose of this web site is to provide further information about asbestos, the risks associated with it and its health effects.