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Asbestos Stocks and Flows Legacy in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Belinda Brown

    (Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, Elizabeth St. 12/280, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia)

  • Ian Hollins

    (Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, Elizabeth St. 12/280, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia)

  • Joe Pickin

    (Blue Environment Pty., Ltd., 209/838 Collins St., Docklands, VIC 3008, Australia)

  • Sally Donovan

    (Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne, Building 133, Masson Rd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia)

Abstract

Information about asbestos stocks and flows is paramount for effective legacy management, both for understanding potential asbestos exposure risks from the different product types remaining in the built environment and proactive resource planning for their safe decommissioning, removal and disposal. This paper provides an overview of the Australian Stocks and Flows Model for Asbestos, a national model that provides best estimates to examine asbestos legacy stocks remaining in the built environment and flows to waste, now and into the future in Australia. The model was updated in 2021 to reflect new information from literature and input from industry experts and includes a Monte Carlo analysis to better reflect the range in the value estimates, as well as allowing for input of data from asbestos removal programs. Australia’s total asbestos stocks peaked at approximately 11 million tonnes in the 1980s. Over 95% of stocks comprise asbestos cement products, such as wall sheeting and water pipes. Australia’s current remaining asbestos stocks in the built environment are estimated at 6.2 million tonnes, with just under half of total consumption estimated to have gone to landfill as waste. The model can continue to be used with updated information to help track how much of Australia’s hazardous asbestos legacy is remaining and by how much it is reducing. The model can also be used to test scenarios and implications for predicted development trends and waste infrastructure needs. It is a valuable resource to assist with sustainable planning across a range of government departments that are responsible for managing asbestos waste in Australia.

Suggested Citation

  • Belinda Brown & Ian Hollins & Joe Pickin & Sally Donovan, 2023. "Asbestos Stocks and Flows Legacy in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2282-:d:1047353
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Georgia Frangioudakis Khatib & Julia Collins & Pierina Otness & James Goode & Stacey Tomley & Peter Franklin & Justine Ross, 2023. "Australia’s Ongoing Challenge of Legacy Asbestos in the Built Environment: A Review of Contemporary Asbestos Exposure Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, August.
    2. Georgia Frangioudakis Khatib & Ian Hollins & Justine Ross, 2023. "Managing Asbestos Waste Using Technological Alternatives to Approved Deep Burial Landfill Methods: An Australian Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Kathleen Mahoney & Tim Driscoll & Julia Collins & Justine Ross, 2023. "The Past, Present and Future of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Australia: What Are the Data Telling Us?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, May.
    4. Gordana Kaplan & Mateo Gašparović & Onur Kaplan & Vancho Adjiski & Resul Comert & Mohammad Asef Mobariz, 2023. "Machine Learning-Based Classification of Asbestos-Containing Roofs Using Airborne RGB and Thermal Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Katrina Khamhing & Shane McArdle & Justine Ross, 2023. "Awareness and Profiling of High-Risk Asbestos Exposure Groups in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, March.
    6. Mia V. Hikuwai & Nicholas Patorniti & Abel S. Vieira & Georgia Frangioudakis Khatib & Rodney A. Stewart, 2023. "Artificial Intelligence for the Detection of Asbestos Cement Roofing: An Investigation of Multi-Spectral Satellite Imagery and High-Resolution Aerial Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-23, February.

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