Asbestos News

The site of the former Yeppoon Hospital site in Queensland, Australia, has reportedly been fenced off after Queensland Health revealed that the land is contaminated with asbestos, the Morning Bulletin reports.

The news comes more than one year after the old building was demolished, leading some officials to call out the local government for mistakes made during the demolition process.

Bill Ludwig, a local council member, told the news source that while the decision to add the fence and renovate the site was a positive step, it should have happened much earlier.

"It is disappointing that it has taken so long to get Queensland Health and the State Government to finally do the right thing," Ludwig explained.

Ludwig added that he felt it was unusual that the local council was unable to set foot on the site until the property was handed over to it. He previously voiced concerns over potentially being left with an expensive cleanup project.

Ensuring that asbestos is properly handled and disposed of prior to demolition work is critical, as the inhalation of the dangerous mineral fibers can lead to the development of lung cancer, asbestosis and the rare cancer malignant mesothelioma.