As Many As 70 NI Government-Owned Buildings Contain Asbestos

12 Sep 2022

At OHSS, we've been helping to safeguard the Irish public from the dangers of asbestos since 2001, with our team offering help with asbestos surveys, asbestos monitoring and advice on safe asbestos removal and disposal. Today, however, we're bringing you some news from the asbestos abatement sphere.

The news relates to the fact that while the deadly substance was banned from use in the construction industry at the end of the last century, tens of thousands of established buildings that were built before the ban still contain it. The eye-opening aspect of this particular story is which buildings still contain the material. 

70 NI Government-Owned Buildings Contain Asbestos

According to figures from the Department of Finance (DoF), it appears that scores of government buildings in Northern Ireland still contain the banned material - 70 to be more prices. These buildings include job centres, benefits offices, as well as the Stormont Buildings - something that naturally puts people at risk.

While the material poses little danger to public health and safety while in its solid form, that changes when it becomes disturbed, realising thousands of tiny, invisible asbestos fibres into the air. If breathed in, these fibres can enter the lungs, causing mesothelioma up to 4 decades after exposure. 

Working Hard to Safeguard Lives From These Dangers

Clearly, there is still much work to be done until we reach the point where asbestos no longer presents a danger to health and life itself. As such, the OHSS team will continue to safeguard life through education and the provision of asbestos-related services. To find out more about this or our occupational hygiene expertise, visit us today at www.ohss.ie. 

Alternatively, if you have any questions about what we've talked about here today or you’re in need of urgent assistance with a potentially dangerous asbestos matter, give our team a call on 01 6905907, and we'll be happy to help in any way we're able to.

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