Emergency Workers Exposed to Asbestos

Article Added March 5th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

Training at the western Sydney army barracks took a scary turn on Monday. Trainees were told that they may have been exposed to deadly asbestos following their anti-terrorist training.

Potentially, 250 workers were exposed to asbestos during the Sydney army training and could die in the future as a result of the exposure. Members of the Urban Search and Rescue unit were among those personnel at risk. All members exposed to the material were told they may have contracted life threatening diseases as a result of the exposure at a demolition site in the Holsworthy Army Barracks.

Huge piles of rubble at the site have been found to contain lethal levels of asbestos. The material was used to resemble collapsed buildings on the site to be used by the fire brigade, ambulance, police and army personnel since 2004. Department chiefs contacted their exposed workers and told them about the possibility of getting an asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma, which could take decades to become apparent. Police, nurses and hazardous material personnel were also exposed as they acted in a supporting role to the training. Those that were told early Monday were devastated by the news, and planning on their next move.

Article Added March 5th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story