Australia's Science Forum

Did everyone receive this warning or is it just us in Queensland.

No warning given here in WA yet- but think I will go and check the store just the same

Non in NSW

Not yet NSW but thank you for thinking of us. It is a good point. I shall be checking.

funny you mention this, we had until a few weeks ago 2 prehistoric rock/mineral collections in massive wooden boxes that hadn't been opened for years. Full of dust and lord knows what, we had a bit of a closer look at something that looked like asbestos. After a bit of research (not a rock/mineral expert) it contained Serpentine (white asbestos), Amphibole (Brown) and Crocidolite (blue). being tested for mesothelioma is a simple process I'm sure alot of us have been exposed to raw and manufactured asbestos if anyone is really concerned.

Hey! Nobody told me!! Just off to the storeroom to check. Maybe we could evacuate the school or just send the labtech home!

Have used these a lot over the last 8 years...
(Then again, have also renovated many houses, stripped old paint, drank out of plastic bottles that had been in the sun or freezer, ate my Dad's charred bbq'ed meat ............ too many to list!)

Not to mention trying to 'educate' the older/farmer type teachers here on OHS.

Maybe there'll be a separate section upstairs where we can compare notes on what it was that got us in the end

Mind you, now that I know I'll take precautions - will go laminate the Qld advice and put it in the box with the rock kits.

Thank you for posting this. There have been no safety alerts for these that I am aware of and I know for a fact that we have these kits. Thanks Nicky for the heads up.

Haven't had this safety alert in Tasmania!

Had someone from the University Geology department (school's almost next to the Uni) come and have a look at our Geo cupboard years ago and got very excited when he found a large chunk of some sort of asbestos! He said it wasn't dangerous but I didn't care!! He left very happy carrying an asbestos rock back to the uni, where it is now in a display cabinet at the Uni.

Better to be safe then sorry. I'm not risking my health over a stupid rock collection thats about 40 years old. Its outta here.

Two old saying to cover what will get us all in the end.. it is NOT the chemicals and things we work with - it just may be the stress of WHO we work with...

OLD CHEMISTS NEVER DIE - THEY ARE WELL PRESERVED

OLD CHEMISTS NEVER DIE - THEY JUST SMELL THAT WAY..

Good one, Sunray!

Thanks again for the information, Nicky

Old chemists never die - they just stop reacting

Thought I'd post this info on this thread too, in case anyone is using the search button to find it.

https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/sites ... 2015_0.pdf

Just had this one from the PSA

Yes, just received it via the PSA too, HT and I will deal with it in term 1 next year.

It's concerning the time lapse between regions and also considering it was reported here back in March 2011 and on the ABC Jan 2012
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-16/a ... it/3775324

Very shameful indeed.

I still haven't received any alerts; heard about it from this great forum!