Employees Concerned Over Asbestos Exposure -- MesoLink.org -- 06-16-04

Workers with the Los Angeles Housing Authority have come forward to express their concerns over regular exposure to asbestos products without the required protection from the Authority.

Asbestos is a material that was widely used in many products around the home, such as flooring, insulation, tiles etc. and exposure to asbestos fibres is known to be the cause of mesothelioma, a deadly cancer affecting the lungs, abdomen or heart.

The workers, who have been removing asbestos tiles and flooring from homes for years, have been complaining about lack of adequate protection for the last five years. The LOS Angeles Housing Authority operates eighteen housing developments across the city with federal and city funds.

Following the latest complaints, an investigation was launched which resulted in the authority admitting that there was a possibility that the materials were asbestos-related and that they would be removed through the proper channels by trained and properly equipped contractors.

An official from the Los Angeles Housing Authority claimed that workers were not at major risk, but admitted that the tiles and flooring did contain asbestos and would be removed in future by a specialist firm.

Another concern outlined by employees was that the removal of these tiles and floors was often done with the tenants of the property still present, putting the public at risk as well as the employees. The Authority has now stated that tenants will be evacuated whilst any works of this nature are carried out.