Applicants from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia have been awarded grants under the Comcare Asbestos Innovation Fund.

 

The $1.5 million Fund, launched by the Federal Government in December 2010, is designed to  support research projects and new initiatives or programs that prevent or better manage asbestos exposure or improve treatment for asbestos disease sufferers.

 

Brian Sketcher from Asbestos Audits in Queensland, received $40,000 to promote his booklet Identifying Asbestos in your Home to a wide audience not only in Queensland but in other States as well as developing a second resource book aimed specifically at electricians.

 

Dr Malcolm Feigen from Austin Health in Melbourne received $185,500 over two years to explore the effects of high dose hemithoracic radiotherapy for localised pleural mesothelioma, using advances in technology.

 

Mark Brims of  BSC Electronics in Perth received $250,000 over two years to develop a portable real time asbestos fibre air based early warning system, while Benjamin Hardaker from Sydney company AECOM received $28,500 to test a proof of concept around the design and development of a health and safety field tool to assess soil sites potentially contaminated by asbestos.

 

Jocelyn McLean from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital at Camperdown in Sydney received $30,000 to develop a living well program for patients following treatment to optimise their recovery and improve their quality of life.

 

The Baw Baw Shire Council in Victoria received $170,000 over 30 months to develop a domestic asbestos awareness and training programme for Local Government professionals, home renovators and workers in the waste and building industries.

 

The AIF commenced on January 2011 and will conclude on 31 December 2013. Comcare will make up to $500 000 per year available to support both research projects, as well as new initiatives and/or practical activities. A maximum amount of $125 000 in funding will be issued to the grantee in any given year, unless the need for additional funding can be established.

 

More information about the AIF is here.