Asbestos News
Factory fire in Australia leads to concerns over asbestos exposure
Authorities expressed asbestos concerns following a recent fire that broke out in a factory in Clayton South, Australia, reports Monash Weekly.According to the news provider, 45 firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze, while police warned local residents to remain inside their homes and turn off their air conditioning units. Ken Brown, acting assistant chief fire officer, told the news source that concerns arose over the potential for firefighters being exposed to asbestos, but all the precautions had been taken.
Brown added that it took firefighters approximately 20 minutes to control the fire, but more than one hour to completely extinguish the blaze. The fire is reportedly estimated to have caused $200,000 worth of damage, the news source said.
Asbestos fears were prompted by the fact that the factory's roof contained asbestos, which can be released into the environment during fires. This can have serious health consequences for people in the area, as the inhalation of these carcinogenic mineral fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer.
11/7/11
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