Asbestos News
Australian shed closed after asbestos scare
Two cargo sheds in the Australian state of Victoria have been shut down due to the presence of asbestos.The Geelong Advertiser reports that the two large sheds at Corio Quay were closed down by GeelongPort, the port's operator, after it was determined that there was potentially airborne asbestos in them.
The scare began when roofing materials in the shed fell to the ground. Dust samples from the debris tested positive for asbestos.
Asbestos was once commonly used in construction because of its resistance to fire and utility as an insulating material. However, by the mid-1960s it was proven that exposure to the naturally occurring substance could cause a number of serious illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer.
Due to these dangers it is essential that swift action is taken wherever the substance is disturbed to ensure that people in the area do not suffer asbestos exposure.
One of the sheds has reportedly been reopened with asbestos monitoring taking place. An asbestos removal company has been hired to clean out the other shed, according to the news provider.
1/5/12
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