ASEA Releases Updated Asbestos Stocks and Flows Model

The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) has released updated asbestos stocks and flows information for Australia – reflecting new information from literature and industry experts.

The national model provides annual estimates on the amount of legacy asbestos remaining in the built environment (stocks), and the quantities of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) reaching the end of their productive life and becoming waste or are in disuse (flows).

The updated estimates show that in 2021, around 6.4 million tonnes of legacy asbestos remain in the built environment in Australia. This includes:

• 3.4 million tonnes of asbestos cement pipes
• 1.7 million tonnes of asbestos cement sheeting (domestic)
• 1.0 million tonnes of asbestos cement sheeting (commercial).

Together, asbestos cement pipes and commercial and domestic cement sheeting make up around 95% of the remaining legacy asbestos in the built environment in Australia.

Stocks

After peaking in 1980 at around 11 million tonnes, ACM stocks are predicted to decline at just above 10% per decade. This modelling means, without significant intervention, ACM stocks will decline to around 1 million tonnes by 2060.

Flows

Many asbestos products are starting to reach end of life. For example, many have been in the built environment for between 40 to 80 years. Most ACMs reaching end of life would be taken to landfill, while some, for example asbestos cement water pipes, may be left in situ with regular monitoring.

Access the full report here.