Asbestos Exposure, Rep Says">Burned Prison Not at Risk of Asbestos Exposure, Rep Says
Burned Prison Not at Risk of Asbestos Exposure, Rep Says
(January 27, 2011) Prison service spokesperson confirmed that the burned Ford prison in West Sussex, England on New Year’s Day posed no risk to the prisoners or the public.
In a statement, he said that a series of tests verified that the prison contains a relatively small amount of asbestos. Following the fire, air tests showed that no asbestos fibers had been inadvertently released. In addition, access to the building has been strictly prohibited and regulated by the prison association.
In accordance with the studies, about 40 inmates out of the 496 on site were involved in the riot, which led the burning of one of the buildings. The fire destroyed six accommodation blocks, a mail room, a gym, a snooker room and a pool room. Initial tests said that a “small amount” of asbestos was found in the fire damaged building, which caused the apprehension over possible exposure.
As described by an environmental protection agency, asbestos is a mineral fiber that became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its fiber strength and heat resistant properties. It was also used for a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials such as roofing shingles, ceiling, floor tiles, gaskets and coating.
In recent years, a ban on the use of asbestos was imposed in the United Kingdom after a series of studies revealed that overexposure to these materials can later cause significant wellness problems like asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. In an interview with the residents, they said they are bothered by the risk of contracting any one of the aforementioned fatal diseases. However, Prison Service officials assured the public there is no risk found in the building, saying that everything is under control.
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