What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the name give to a group of naturally occurring minerals that have been used in certain building materials, vehicle brakes and pipe lagging. Asbestos was used because it is resistant to fire and corrosion and because it is good insulation.
Return to topWhy is Asbestos a risk to health?
Asbestos fibres are small enough to be inhaled into the alveolae in the lungs. Alveolae are the air sacs in the lung through which oxygen is transferred to the blood stream. Asbestos that is bound or still contained within the building material does not; by itself cause a health risk. The risk occurs is when the building material is damaged, cut or ground as these processes allow the fibres to become airborne and therefore they are able to be inhaled.
Return to topWhat is the health risk?
The inhalation of asbestos can cause serious lung diseases including cancer. The risk factors include the type and size of the asbestos fibre that is inhaled, the number of fibres inhaled and the length of time in which a person was in a position to be inhaling the fibres. Everyone is exposed to asbestos because it is a naturally occurring fibre. Those at most risk of asbestos related diseases are people who have had occupational exposure working with asbestos containing products as part of their job over many years. Smoking combined with exposure to asbestos also elevates the risk of asbestos related disease.
Return to topWhen would asbestos affect health?
Asbestos related diseases have a long latency, which means that asbestos related disease will not be occur until many years after the exposure. The time frame may be anything from 15 to 30 years.
Return to topHow has the New Zealand Defence Force assessed the risk?
Risk identification has been based on samples taken from buildings which shows the asbestos present being predominantly ‘white’ (or Chrysotile asbestos) which is its least dangerous form. However, when this material is crushed it can form fine airborne particles. Activities undertaken by Defence Force people in these environments, including cleaning up debris, or even sleeping in disused buildings, may have potentially exposed them to dust containing asbestos particles. It is simply impossible to determine the actual individual health risks as there is no reliable quantifiable data from Timor-Leste from this time. The New Zealand Defence Force is therefore taking a precautionary approach.
Return to topAm I on the Asbestos Register?
No. The Department of Labour administers a register for people who believe they have been exposed to asbestos to have their name included. It is not necessary to prove that there has been an exposure to be registered and there is no screening or health surveillance performed on those registered. You are able to have your name included on the national Asbestos Register if you wish. The New Zealand Defence Force has included information on your Service medical record and as these records are computerised, a register can be generated for all those who have been exposed to asbestos (or any other significant environmental hazard in the future) if this is required.
Return to topShould I have medical tests or other health surveillance?
Health surveillance at this stage will provide little information apart from the current health of your lungs and chest. You may wish to discuss with your Medical Officer or General Practitioner whether health surveillance will be required in the future. Given that the risk of disease is very low, health screening will not necessarily add value or information. If you are a smoker it is strongly recommended that you give up since smoking increases the risk of developing asbestos related conditions.
Return to topWhat has happened to other Armed Forces who deployed to Timor Leste?
The Australian Defence Force have also taken similar steps to the New Zealand Defence Force to record information about those personnel who may have been exposed and to provide information to them about health risks. As each country is responsible for the health of their deployed personnel no combined or multi-national action has been undertaken.
Return to topWhat assistance is available if I become sick?
Operations in Timor-Leste are covered by the War Pensions Act 1954, so claims can be made to Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) for entitlements should you develop an asbestos related disease. In considering any claim for any veterans’ entitlements, VANZ check the Service and medical record to confirm exposure, illness or injury. As a note about your Service in Timor-Leste has been included on your Service medical record this information will be available to them. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) can also provide cover, treatment and compensation for asbestos related diseases arising out of work. As the exposure occurred during an operational deployment, this would be considered to be work related.
Return to topWhy has the New Zealand Defence Force decided to notify me of this risk now?
There are a number of reasons why notification is occurring at this time. Firstly, the New Zealand Defence Force now has the technology developed to be able to electronically record the asbestos exposure. The matter has been under consideration for some time and work was required to determine what would be the best and most appropriate response. This work has included considering the approach taken by the Australian Defence Force. The New Zealand Defence Force also believes that there is a moral, as well as legal obligation for personnel to be informed of anything that has occurred during Service that may affect their health.
Return to topWhat should I tell my family?
The information contained in this site has been developed so that it can be shared and understood by more people than just those who have been potentially exposed. Your family are welcome to use the contact form on this website or to post any questions they may have to;
Timor-Leste Asbestos Questions Defence Personnel Executive HQ NZDF Private Bag 39997 Wellington.
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