Asbestos Present In Back Of HWP Building

August 9, 2011

The Department of Health said it is not believed that the majority of the HWP building affected by the fire contained asbestos, however some was present in the very back of the building. The full statement from the Health Department is below:

It is not believed that the majority of the HWP building affected by the fire contained asbestos. Some asbestos roofing material was present only in the very back of the building.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous rock mineral that was widely used in the construction of buildings four decades ago because it does not burn. As a fire retardant, asbestos was sprayed on steel beams and wrapped as lagging around boiler pipes.

Asbestos fibres can be harmful if they are inhaled as a dry dust. Because the Fire Services “drowned” the HWP site in water yesterday and Bermuda experienced heavy rainfall this morning, the ideal situation has been created to prevent further dust escaping from the site, and most of the soot and ash fallout has now washed into drains and soakaways.

The Department of Health yesterday encouraged all residents in the direct neighborhood of the fire at HWP on St. John’s Road to protect their rain water supplies from smoke and soot caused by the HWP fire by blocking roof down pipes.

Because of this morning’s heavy rains, washing the roof down should not be necessary. Residents should now use a 5-gallon pail and a large sponge to remove the remaining water from the gutters, before unplugging all their downpipes.

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  1. Triangle Drifter says:

    Great discovery! Wet asbestos is not harmful! DOH!!!!

    This has been known for years. Nothing to do with HWP but why do we still have containers full of asbestos, stored who knows where now & rusting away, still awaiting disposal?

    The UBP dragged their feet unsure on how to get rid of it. In 98 the PLP promised to deal with it. It is now 2011. NOTHING has been done about it!

    Charter a big barge. Load it with the asbestos containers. Take it out to sea & push them over the side in very deep water.