A campaign to change the compensation rules for members of the armed forces exposed to asbestos prior to 1987, has attracted a favourable response from the government. Defence minister, Mark Lancaster, has vowed to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible, and there are hopes that in future, compensation will be available […]
Monthly Archives: November 2015
Asbestos found in 80% of Derbyshire schools
It has been reported that asbestos is present in over 80% of schools in Derbyshire, a figure that illustrates the prolific use of the substance in recent decades. Asbestos was only banned in the UK in 1999, which leaves any building constructed prior to this time likely to house asbestos-containing materials. Of the 413 schools […]
£150 million to rid Buckingham Palace of asbestos
It’s estimated that the cost to refurbish Buckingham Palace and remove the high levels of asbestos in the building could reach £150 million. Only two years ago the predicted figure was £50 million, and even that was said by many to be too much when there are so many other buildings in the UK that […]
Migrants in Calais exposed to asbestos
A site in Calais that’s being used to accommodate thousands of migrants has been found to be badly contaminated with chrysotile asbestos. An estimated 6,000 migrants originally from Sudan, are now based at the site which has been called ‘Jungle 2.’ Believed to be a former dumping ground for sheets of asbestos used for roofing, […]
Falling ash caused asbestos death 30 years after fire
A fire at COD Donnington in 1983 led to the death of a Shropshire resident 30 years later. Exposed to asbestos in her thirties, when the ash fell from the sky, Paula Nunn died in September from mesothelioma – an aggressive form of lung cancer attributed to the deadly effects of asbestos inhalation. The long […]
Asbestos found in famous Italian opera house
Milan’s La Scala opera house was closed for major renovation works between 2002 and 2004. Its closure in 2009, however, was due to asbestos having been found in part of the ceiling over the auditorium. The area was immediately sealed off to prevent asbestos dust and fibres spreading to other areas, and work ensued to […]
Asbestos found in counterfeit brake pads
Asbestos has been found in fake Toyota brake pads in Australia. Local buyers have been unaware the products were counterfeit, and because there is no manufacturer aligned with the items, the Australian authorities have not been able to issue a recall. Historically, asbestos was a common material used in brake pads and other car parts […]
Capitol Hill building closed after potential release of asbestos
The Cannon House Office Building on Washington’s Capitol Hill was forced to close recently. Deadly asbestos dust and fibres were thought to have been released during renovation works there. Constructed in 1908 the Cannon House Office Building is the oldest congressional building, and was built to provide offices for every member of the House of […]