THE Australian National University (ANU) has extended a major survey of health concerns of people who have lived in a house with loose-fill asbestos insulation.

Chief Investigator Associate Professor Martyn Kirk said the survey would be extended until Friday 8 July, to give people more time to have their say.

The survey is examining the physical and psychological effects associated with living in a Mr Fluffy house, and aims to give a clear picture of the overall health impact of residential exposure to loose fill asbestos.

“The survey is vital to inform us about the health issues associated with the Mr Fluffy issue affecting the Canberra community. It is important that as many people as possible complete the survey,” Martyn said.

The survey is strictly confidential and gives Mr Fluffy house owners, tenants and their families a chance to comment on how loose-fill asbestos insulation has impacted on their health. It forms the third stage of its ACT Asbestos Health Study, funded by the ACT Government.

Martyn said the findings of the survey would be provided in a de-identified report to ACT Health and would continue to inform the response to this important community issue.

Loose fill asbestos insulation was installed in more than 1,000 Canberra houses between 1968 and 1979.

Current, recent or former residents who have not completed the survey, but would like to do so, should use the original email link provided by the Asbestos Response Taskforce. The Taskforce is distributing the survey on behalf of the ANU.

People who cannot find the original invitation can contact the Taskforce by email at asbestostaskforce@act.gov.au or by phone on 13 22 81.

Further details of the study can be found at nceph.anu.edu.au.

The ACT Government in 2015 commissioned the ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health to undertake a two-year study to improve understanding of the health risks of Mr Fluffy loose fill asbestos insulation.

The ANU ACT Asbestos Health Study provided its first report to the ACT Government in September 2015, which described the trends and risks of mesothelioma in the ACT from 1982 to 2014.