A Sydney geologist is currently engaged in attempting to identify determine the number of Australians exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos at little-known, naturally-occurring asbestos “hot spots”.  As a preliminary step in his study, he requested the results of a study undertaken in the 1980s for a survey on mesothelioma.

The missing records contain full occupational and environmental histories of about 1,000 mesothelioma cases reported in the early 1980s.  However, the Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council says they cannot be found.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.   However about 10% of all cases occur in people with no known exposure and at least some are believed to be caused by hidden deposits of naturally-occurring asbestos. The upcoming study was to map to show potentially dangerous areas.

The study was to also reduce the risk of developments accidentally disturbing the asbestos deposits and exposing residents.  However records collected since 1985 lacked the necessary detail to complete such a map, making it “no longer possible,” according to the research team.

“The potential permanent loss of these records would be a great loss to mesothelioma research is Australia and raises questions about the federal government’s policies surrounding long-term storage and archiving of nationally significant scientific research datasets.”