Asbestos Found at Bonfire Site

12 Aug 2016

Asbestos was recently found at the Co Tyrone bonfire site. It was being stored for an Eleventh Night bonfire. Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material, and there are strict regulations regarding the disposal of the material. Burning the asbestos would release harmful asbestos into the air, posing a very serious health risk to anyone living in the immediate area.

What’s more disconcerting is that this isn’t the only area where asbestos has been dumped in preparation for an Eleventh Night bonfire. It was also found at a site in West Belfast. Asbestos wasn’t the only hazardous material found at this site. Spoiled meats and used nappies were also discovered there. All of these things pose a serious health risk to the community. Other household trash including fridges, sofas, and bills were also found at this site.

NI Environment Minister Michelle McIlveen is quoted saying, “Given all the health concerns about asbestos the placing in jeopardy of people’s lives in beyond a disgrace, it’s a criminal offence.”

SDLP's Patsy McGlone stated, “They are not only jeopardising people in that area, they are putting themselves at risk, they are idiotic.”

In the past, Union politicians have been reluctant to comment on environmental concerns over Eleventh Night bonfires, but that seems to be changing in light of recent events. It is illegal to dump asbestos, and this offense is taken very seriously because of the potential health hazards.

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