Skip navigation

Indymedia UK is a network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues

Asbestos littered around streets in the wake of the Tornado

Asbestosis kills | 30.07.2005 10:40 | Health | Birmingham

Yesterday when the chief structural engineer was being questioned by local people in Balsall Heath he revealed that there is some asbestos contamination in the streets and surrounding areas damaged by the tornado. He specifically referred to asbestos tiles and roofing materials that have been ripped off houses and are now lying around the streets.

asbestos roofing
asbestos roofing


Yesterday local people noticed that the street cleaning crews disappeared very quickly when they came across asbestos littered around the streets in Balsall Heath.

Specialist contractors are required to remove the asbestos in a controlled manner wearing safety suits and breathing apparatus, although there has been little evidence of their presence so far in the area. Local people haven't been informed of the asbestos contamination on their streets or the dangers associated with it.

Those aware of the asbestos risk are asking why hasn't Birmingham City Council informed people of these risks? And what are they doing about it?

Local people, the emergency services including the police and contractors working on the clean up have all been exposed to the dangers of asbestos. Why isn't the council employing more specialist contractors to clear up the asbestos littered around our streets?

Abestos resources:

 http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/

'At least 3500 people in Great Britain die each year from mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer as a result of past exposure to asbestos. Annual numbers of deaths are predicted to go on rising into the next decade.'

 http://www.berwickonline.org.uk/environment/asbestos.htm

Advice on Asbestos:

The following advice is designed to give a basic understanding of asbestos and asbestos containing materials. It is a ‘first port of call’ for those with an enquiry relating to asbestos, whether a householder or business. The advice pages contain contact details for further enquiries and details of publications containing comprehensive guidance on subjects from work on asbestos to legislation.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a term used for a naturally occurring group of minerals which have a fibrous crystal habit and which were used for years in many common building and other materials, primarily because of their very good resistance to both fire and electricity.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos-related diseases, mainly cancers of the lung and chest lining. Asbestos-related disease is the biggest occupational health killer in the UK with 3,000 people currently dying each year, 25% of these once worked in the building and maintenance trades and often would have worked unknowingly on asbestos containing materials.

Who is at risk?

It is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction or refurbishment of any premises but many thousands of tonnes were used in the past and much will still be in place. As long as the asbestos is in good condition and will not be disturbed or damaged there is no risk. If, however, it is disturbed or damaged it can become a danger to health because the needle-like fibres may be released into the air and become inhaled.

Anyone who comes into contact with fibres can be at risk. Those who will be at particular risk are those who may disturb asbestos, anyone whose work involves drilling, sawing or cutting into the fabric of premises could potentially be at risk. The scientific evidence on exactly what exposures of asbestos causes disease is unclear but it is known the more asbestos fibres breathed in, the greater the risk to health.

Where is asbestos found in buildings?

Asbestos may be found almost anywhere in a building. Generally, the products containing a high percentage of asbestos (up to 90%) are more fragile and easily damaged, such as pipe or boiler lagging. Those products containing low percentages of asbestos (10-15%), such as asbestos cement roofing sheets, are more robust. In these products the asbestos fibres are bound into the cement and will only be released if the material is badly damaged, broken or otherwise machined (cut, drilled, sanded etc).

You are most likely to come across asbestos in the materials listed below:-

* sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing – used as fire breaks in voids
* moulded or pre-formed lagging – used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers
* sprayed asbestos – generally used as fire protection in ducts, fire breaks, panels, structural steelwork, partitions, soffit boards and ceiling panels
* insulation boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts
* some ceiling tiles
* millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment. Asbestos paper has also been used as a fire-proof facing on wood fibreboard
* asbestos cement products, which can be fully or semi-compressed into flat or corrugated sheets, gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks
* certain textured coatings
* some bitumen roofing material
* vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles

Asbestosis kills


Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

Birmingham City Council exploited and abused Polish migrant workers

03.08.2005 12:16

Birmingham City Council knowingly exploited and abused hundreds of mainly Polish migrant workers during the clean-up of Balsall Heath. On the third day following the disaster Polish workers on low wages cleared asbestos tiles and asbestos roofing material from resident's homes.

Polish workers seemed unaware of the dangers of asbestos and didn't have sufficient clothing and breathing apparatus to remove the damaged tiles. Workers were seen and filmed removing the tiles without masks and gloves.

Why did the City Council abuse and exploit migrant workers to remove asbestos from the area?

Apart from the Council's general professional incompetence and lack of communication could this also account for the delay in clearing up the area?

"Steve Vickers, general manager of the council's urban design team which carried out property inspections and repairs where possible, said they had to clear asbestos released from shattered roof tiles before they could progress with other work."

 http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/news/tm_objectid=15797488%26method=full%26siteid=50002-name_page.html

Put worker's health and safety before profit!


why ???

03.08.2005 21:08




why do the news reporters always say sparkbrook for the area of balsall heath and kings heath was the worst hit just because there a much more richer place than balsall heath there just thinking about the rich BUGGERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you


Rianna


Rianna


Birmingham City Council can't even acknowledge Balsall Heath either!

04.08.2005 23:37

Even the council don't seem to be able to say the words B-a-l-s-a-l-l H-e-a-t-h

What's going on?!

>>The tornado hit parts of Kings Heath, Moseley, Sparkbrook, Highgate and Sparkhill at about 3pm on Thursday 28 July 2005. The 135mph tornado caused extensive damage to buildings, gardens and vehicles. Nineteen people were injured.

 http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/tornado.bcc

heads should roll for this


City Council forces residents to clean up asbestos!

05.08.2005 16:01

Residents affected by the tornado devastion have received a leaflet attached to red bags instructing them to clear any asbestos on their property.

They've been asked to place the asbestos material into 2 red plastic bags and then into specially designated skips!

 http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=64563&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=9&MENU_ID=276

"Further good news of Clean Up operations

Birmingham City Council’s hugely successful clean up has continued with the vast majority of debris containing asbestos collected and removed from highways, gardens and open spaces within the tornado affected area.

Following the City Council’s and the Health Protection Agency’s joint reassurance yesterday that the risk from asbestos was of a low level to public health, the Council has arranged for special RED BAGS to be available for residents/businesses to use to bag any remaining debris, such as small pieces of roof slates. A leaflet explaining how such material can be identified and the safe handling of it, is available to collect with the bags.

The Red Bags and leaflets are available at the Tornado Advice Bureau at Ladypool Road/Newport Road, and special skips where the red bags can be deposited are located at:-
Middle of Brunswick Road
Near to no 16 Chesterton Road
Near to no 2 Roshvin Road
11 Alder Road
420 Ladypool Road
Corner of Woodstock Road and Anderton Park Road
Corner of Woodstock Road and Church Road
Corner of Sandford Road and Church Road
Residents and businesses can obtain further information/assistance by telephoning 0121 675 1921 or 679 1919

The City Council continues its cleansing programme in the area and continues to monitor the situation and take action where necessary."

health and safety my arse!


Red Bags for Asbestos Clean-up

12.08.2005 13:08

Red plastic bin bags were delivered to houses in Balsall Heath effected by the Tornado of 28.07.05 at least a week after the damage had been done. The RED BAGS had a piece of paper attatched to them, by a bit of string, containing instructions for the general public to follow whilst THEY cleared up the various types of asbestos that had fallen or broken in their gardens or had been dropped by the Tornado. The leaflets included directions such as 'dispose of your clothes or overalls after handling asbestos' and some explanation of the different types of asbestos accompanied by pictures.....black and white not too clear ones I might add. I could go on and on about this and how angry it made me and many other concerned residents of Balsall Heath but I really don't have time.......So I'll end here just to say IF IT HAD BEEN SOLIHULL OR I DUNNO LONDON lets say for arguments sake WE ALL KNOW THEY WOULDN'T BE CLEANING UP THE ASBESTOS WOULD THEY????AND I TELL YOU WHAT I DONT THINK WE SHOULD EITHER!

Frances
mail e-mail: fran@nesmoa.fsnet.co.uk


Links