June 1st, 2007

A childcare center in Australia has had to close as a result of asbestos contamination from a nearby site. The center has had to close on an indefinite basis, and closed earlier in the week after the asbestos waste was discovered in the play area of the facility. The asbestos had come from a nearby construction site according to officials.

Exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fibers can result in a range f health problems including respiratory problems, scarring of the lungs, and a form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Apparently the asbestos that was found in the play area of the Queensberry Children's Center, which is a part of the University of Melbourne, spilled into the area from the construction site next door to the facility.

An official from the center said that an investigation has been demanded from the authorities. He said: "We're demanding that WorkCover investigate thoroughly and prosecute the offending company. What's of real concern about this is that the most vulnerable people in our community, young children, are being unnecessarily exposed to asbestos. Something that can scar them for life, and potentially kill them."

Referring to the construction workers as the nearby site he added: "What happened here was that they got up on the roof, smash, smash, smash, straight onto the ground against the fence of the adjacent property and just created an asbestos pile."