Asbestos News

While a number of Australians have expressed concerns over the removal of an asbestos-containing roof at a local fitness center, officials are saying that all necessary precautions will be taken during the work.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports the operators of Newcastle's Howzat Fitness Centre have assured residents that the asbestos will be properly handled during the work.

The center has reportedly been closed since November after dust samples indicated the presence of low levels of asbestos, the news source said.

Howzat director Alan Green told the news source the removal of the carcinogenic material and the rest of the cleanup work would take a number of weeks, but added that nearby residents will have nothing to worry about.

"We've carried out a letter-box drop to inform everyone around Howzat that the work is occurring," he said. "We have engaged a hygienist to ensure that all the work that's carried out on the roof is done according to the regulations. We'll be monitoring the work on a daily basis."

Ensuring that the proper precautions are taken when removing asbestos is critical as illnesses such as lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis kill approximately 107,000 individuals around the world each year, according to the World Health Organization.