UK Fire Left Asbestos Debris in Gardens - Residents remain concerned about the health hazards raised during a fire that raged through an abandoned electrical warehouse on Saturday in the Derbyshire town of Long Eaton. During the battle to contain the fire, residents were asked to keep their windows closed to protect them from the potentially toxic plume.
After the fire was put out, residents found pieces of the asbestos roof in their yards and gardens. Officials warned residents to not touch, handle or attempt to remove the asbestos debris.
According to Jayne Parker, a mother of two who lives near the site of the fire, the new concern is about the health and safety of her family and neighbors. As of Sunday, the fire site "was still covered with bits of asbestos" and she is worried "that the wind could pick them up and blow them around."
As of Monday, the asbestos debris has not been removed from the site of the fire or from neighboring yards and gardens. However, area police have stated that the site of the fire is now secure.
There are two serious health concerns surrounding the fire at the electrical warehouse. First, during the fire, the asbestos roof was damaged and could have released small asbestos particles in the air. Residents in the immediate vicinity could have been at risk for asbestos exposure from the toxic plume. Second, and the more pressing concern, is the uncontrolled asbestos debris.
Asbestos is a carcinogenic, and exposure may lead to serious, oftentimes, life-threatening health conditions. Mined worldwide, asbestos was used in a variety of products because of its natural versatility, fire resistance and soundproofing, among others. In the case of the Long Eaton fire, the asbestos was mixed in with concrete to create a more stable and secure roof.
As a whole, asbestos is not harmful, but only when the asbestos is disturbed, does it pose a health threat. Asbestos exposure may lead to mesothelioma cancer, asbestosis and lung cancer. The most common health condition linked to asbestos exposure is mesothelioma cancer, once a rare disease that is now seeing a surprising surge in diagnoses. Due to the prevalence of asbestos in products, the subsequent ban in most industrialized countries and the decades-long incubation period, mesothelioma cases are rising exponentially.
Residents are encouraged to report any asbestos debris on their properties.
