Despite the fact that we have known about the danger of asbestos for many years, the Australian Defense Force still uses asbestos in much of its equipment.

According to health groups and trade unions in Australia, "the army, navy, and the air force will continue to use asbestos in hundreds of thousands of items of equipment - such as vehicle brake linings, engine gaskets and door seals - until the end of the decade after winning a three-year extension to their exemption."

In 2001, the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission prohibited the use of asbestos in workplaces from January 1, 2004. But the military was exempt from those rules. Several industries were granted three year extensions that ran out this year, but the Defense Force were granted another extension, which will last until December 31, 2010. They were the only organization to be granted such an extension.

Australian Soldiers Face Asbestos Risk