Two people linked to Canberra houses with Mr Fluffy insulation have reportedly been diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.
The ACT Health Directorate has confirmed it is investigating two cases of lung cancer brought to their attention by the Fluffy Owners and Residents’ Action Group.
More than 1,000 houses across Canberra had loose-fill amosite asbestos installed in the roof space by the Mr Fluffy company in the 1960s and 1970s.
A Commonwealth funded clean-up program 20 years later attempted to remove all the potentially deadly fibres.
However remnant fibres have been found in the living areas of at least ten houses forcing the residents to move out.
The first Mr Fluffy home with an adverse asbestos assessment has been demolished today in Woden after residents were told it was not safe to return.
The fibres are thought to have been dislodged from wall cavities and sub-floors during renovation work.
The directorate said two mesothelioma cases reported by the action group were being assessed, but it could not confirm any details of the cases.
Last year, seven cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed in Canberra, which is a similar figure per head of population to the national average.
The directorate has warned that being exposed to loose-fill asbestos did not necessarily mean a person would develop asbestos-related medical conditions.
Last week the ACT Government’s Asbestos Response Taskforce held a health forum to address residents concerns.
At the time, acting ACT chief health officer Andrew Pengilley said the great risk to residents of Mr Fluffy houses was if the fibres become airborne.
“If the asbestos remains in the roof or in wall cavities or in the floor, and there’s no entry into the living areas, then that is a lower risk situation,” he said.
“If people have gone up into roof spaces or they’ve done renovations or there’s damage to walls which allows asbestos to come in. That’s a higher risk situation.”
The directorate is encouraging anyone concerned about their health to see their doctor for an assessment.