Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects today issued a warning to renovators and home owners that asbestos was not just to be found in the walls of the building but could also be present in a range of other products including linoleum.

The asbestos warning follows after an incident at a renovation of a property where the home owner called Archicentre about asbestos in floor coverings. The home owners purchased a 50 to 60 year old home and discovered while ripping up the floor coverings and having them tested that the "lino" is 70 to 80% asbestos.

Edward Lukac, South Australian Archicentre spokesperson said the real risk of exposure to asbestos fibres and dust occurs with the demolition of walls or roofs during renovation of a property, drilling or cutting of products containing asbestos or even the removal of old linoleum or vinyl tiles.

Mr Lukac said "It is vital for everyone to understand that once you disturb asbestos people must recognise the extreme health risks involved for home owners and their families of the diseases which can be caused by asbestos dust.

"These include asbestosis (a progressive, fibrotic lung disease causing increasing breathlessness), lung cancer and mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer affecting the lining of the chest cavity and the covering of the lungs or, less often, the lining of the abdominal cavity and the covering of abdominal organs).