Mr Fluffy

At the time, there was limited public knowledge about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. Subsequently, cases of mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases have become well publicised. Testing in the affected houses revealed the ongoing possibility of exposure to loose asbestos fibres. The loose-fill amosite asbestos used by Mr Fluffy was especially hazardous, because its lack of a bonding agent allowed it to migrate easily to hidden corners and cracks inside a residence. ==Affected areas==

In 2015, the Government of the Australian Capital Territory released a list of places affected by Mr Fluffy insulation contamination, which totalled 1,022 properties. It is believed that up to 30,000 people may have been affected over the years. Loose-fill asbestos has also been found in locations far removed from Canberra, including three confirmed locations in Lithgow, New South Wales, which is approximately 200 kilometres from Canberra. The New South Wales Government announced a buyback scheme for affected properties. Dirk Jansen ran his company from his family home in Lyons and stored bags of asbestos fluff under his house. ==Investigation and clean-up==

Jansen started using asbestos as an insulation as early as 1967, and began using it in loose form in 1968, prompting a Commonwealth Government investigation within months. The first demolitions under the scheme began in July 2015. A number of heritage homes have also been affected and will be lost, including Deasland, one of Canberra's most important historic homesteads, which was built by George Harcourt in 1893 and was demolished in early 2022. No legal case was ever brought against the Jansen family and the use of amosite asbestos was not banned in Australia until 1989. ==References==