Amber Valley Borough Council Advice following the Belper fire
Amber Valley Borough Council have issued some advice following the fire in Belper on the 10th May 2013.
Following a fire on Derwent Street, Belper on 10th May 2013, some material has been distributed in the local area. This material has been tested and is now confirmed as containing Chrysotile (white asbestos).
The asbestos fibres are contained within cement compound and are only released when the panels are broken up. Respirable fibres (fibres that can be breathed in) are therefore thought to be a small fraction of total material released.
Weather conditions since the incident are thought to have been very helpful in minimizing the risk, both dispersing any small asbestos fibres and damping down larger pieces.
The risk from asbestos
Asbestos is harmful to health. The main risk is usually from breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres over short periods or low levels of over long periods. The safe level of exposure to asbestos is not known.
Evidence from similar events elsewhere suggests that if appropriate clean-up procedures are followed, there should be no significant public health risk resulting from asbestos exposure from the Derwent Street fire.
At present there is no evidence of high level exposure in the area.
More information about the risks from asbestos containing material is available from Public Health England.
What the Borough Council is doing
The Council is continuing to respond to requests to clean the local area where the material is identified.
Further work is also taking place to control any ongoing risk from the damaged building and asses any future actions that may be required to minimize risks to the public.
What to do if you find materials from the fire on your property
The asbestos material is light grey in colour and can vary in size. Residents should avoid handling it wherever possible.
Call the Council to arrange collection on 01773 841335 or 01773 841414 outside office hours.
If you do need to move it:-
- First dampen the materials
- Minimize your exposure to the material
- Wear gloves
- Do not break the material
- Place it in double plastic bags for later collection by the Borough Council
This advice is offered following consultation with Public Health England.
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