Asbestos Stocks and Flows Legacy in Australia

Belinda Brown, Ian Hollins (), Joe Pickin and Sally Donovan
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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

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-9

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.

Keywords: asbestos; asbestos waste; asbestos stocks; asbestos flows; stocks and flows model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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