Asbestos News
Caution in UK after fire at asbestos-containing building
UK residents who live near the site of a fire at a structure that contained asbestos were recently advised to keep their windows closed.The old Sherwood Hall School in Mansfield burned down, possibly sending asbestos fibers into the air, reports the BBC.
Colin Thornton works near the scene of the blaze and described it to the news source.
"I've not seen anything like this before, this is massive. It is a really, really big fire," he said. "There is thick black smoke rising, billowing out over a wide area and I can turn around and see it everywhere."
Even though no one was reportedly hurt in the blaze, such fires can still pose dire threats as the flames can allow asbestos to become airborne. If anyone inhales this harmful substance it can lead to the development of a number of illnesses including malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Realizing this danger, authorities in the area told people to keep their windows and doors shut.
Officials have reportedly not yet determined the cause of the fire.
4/4/11
Related Articles
Roof replacement at Connecticut gym turns up asbestos, Ed Michler, 5/17/12
Australian factory fire prompts asbestos concerns, Ariella Yu, 5/16/12
Asbestos concerns arise at eastern Australian transfer stations, Ed Michler, 5/14/12
'Take-home' asbestos exposure is every bit as serious, http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos, 5/16/12
Traces of asbestos force closure of Canadian high school, Janet Hartung, 5/10/12
Asbestos exposure causes not just mesothelioma, but also emotional strain, http://icoh.confex.com/icoh/2012/webprogram/Paper7297.html, 5/10/12
Asbestos discovered during construction of North Carolina natural gas complex, Ed Michler, 5/9/12
Walk for asbestos disease-stricken Australian children completed, Janet Hartung, 5/7/12
Korean cases of mesothelioma decline, U.S. cases plateau, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.22065/abstract, 5/8/12
University of South Carolina fined for asbestos violations, Janet Hartung, 5/4/12