Confirming that carpet underlay samples taken from a Perth home revealed traces of asbestos, the WA Health Department has issued a warning pertaining to the hazards of asbestos in carpet underlay manufactured before the early 1970s.

With concerns about asbestos traces raised a few years back, the Department began testing samples from most of the older houses across Perth. It was found that some of the old carpet underlay possibly included recycled hessian from bags that were used for transporting and storing asbestos in the past.

Noting that this is the first time that traces of asbestos have been discovered in Perth homes, the Department said that its main focus was on the “original underlay that was installed under carpets laid before 1970.”
 
In a statement, the Department said: “We also tested carpet and other surfaces in rooms of the home with the affected underlay but there was no evidence that the asbestos had spread from underneath the carpet.”

Nonetheless, since asbestos fibres are believed to cause several respiratory conditions, like asbestosis and mesothelioma, Jim Dodds, Department director of environmental health, said that householders and carpet industry professionals should take precautions – wear Class P1 or P2 facemask and disposable overalls - while removing old carpet and underlay; and ensure that the release of dust is minimized.