I worked many years ago at a factory in NSW and in the past few years have developed breathing difficulties. I do not know where I can get medical testing done to determine whether I have a dust disease. Can I just do this at the doctor?
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Answer by Neha Sharma, Hillsdale 2036 NSW
- The Dust Diseases Board provides workers and retired workers who have a history of occupational dust exposure with a free medical screening service.
- As a general rule a 15 year time period after initial exposure is applicable for medical testing. This is because dust diseases have a slow onset.
- Also applicants with a history of dust exposure are reviewed by the Dust Diseases Board every couple of years to monitor and ensure appropriate compliance under the law. If you undertake the screening tests and no dust related illness is found you should continue to be screened on a regular basis if you suspect that a diseases has started to progress.