Work Starts On Removal Of Asbestos

The removal of asbestos has begun at a former Woolworths retail store in Scarborough, UK. A specialist firm has been hired to take on the project, and crews of workmen have moved into the former Woolworths store to start the asbestos abatement process. The asbestos removal is a preliminary measure being taken prior to the change of ownership at the retail site. The former Woolworths store will soon be home to a discount outlet store known as Poundland. The Woolworth’s site has laid vacant for over a year. Now, workers from hazardous waste specialists Pectel have taken over the site for the time being.

Former Woolworths manager Jason Barker told local reporters: “There’s asbestos in all the ceilings on both sales floors and right throughout the offices. It’s just everywhere – it’ll cost thousands [of pounds] to remove it….When I was there we had 300 tiles removed and replaced and the bill for that was £70,000 (about $114,000 in American currency)– shifting the lot of them is going to be very pricey.”

The removal of asbestos is expensive due to the precautions that must be taken to prevent the material from becoming airborne. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years after being told that they are ill.

Mark Roberts, Poundland’s head of store development, said: “Poundland does have an asbestos management policy in place for instances like this when new stores have been taken over and unfortunately carry asbestos. The issue at the new Scarborough store is currently being investigated and the asbestos is being removed.”

Source: http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/Work-starts-on-removal-of.5979917.jp