Melbourne, Aug 25 : Your carpet might be putting you at a greater risk of developing cancer, warns a Respiratory physician

Bill Musk has revealed that hessian bags used to transport deadly asbestos products were later reused as carpet underlay.

Anyone exposed to the underlay risk developing mesothelioma, an incurable cancer.

"So carpet underfelt from these bags is definitely potentially dangerous," News. com. au quoted Musk as having told ABC''s 7.30 Report.

The program interviewed several people who believed some mesothelioma victims had been exposed to asbestos fibres from carpet.

A spokesman for Western Australia''s Health Department has urged home renovators to take care with their carpet.

"The main thing is to not disturb it and try and get some advice as to whether there is any dust in their house," he said.

The spokesman also said that people should hire professionals to tear up carpet underlay, and thoroughly clean the house afterwards.

The program said the bags were used in carpet underlay until the 1970s, and while it was not known how many homes were affected, it could be in the tens of thousands. (ANI)