Public Housing Exposes Workers to Asbestos

Article Added April 14th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

Workers renovating public housing units in Cape Breton were exposed to deadly asbestos. The old houses were undergoing structure renovations when insulation in the attics tested positive for the air born fiber.

Some of the older houses in Sydney, Canada were undergoing standard renovations when it was discovered that some of the attic insulation contained asbestos. The renovations on the public housing units were put on hold amid the health concerns related to asbestos exposure. The Cape Breton Island Regional Housing Authority has told employees working on the project to get tested for asbestos levels in their lungs. Exposure can lead to respiratory problems, including emphysema and mesothelioma.

Documentation has been found noting that the government knew the old housing project contained asbestos, and workers are demanding to know why it has taken this long to cease work. The insulation was partially made of actinolite, the most dangerous and versatile forms of asbestos. The material was used often prior to 1980’s, when it was found that the only way of contracting mesothelioma was asbestos exposure. The fibrous material is stable if left undisturbed, but is deadly when agitated, such as in renovation or demolition. It has been found that people are more likely to develop mesothelioma with repeated exposure to the substance.

Article Added April 14th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story