Asbestos Dumping Problem In UK Borough -- MesoLink.org -- 09-07-05

A city borough in the UK has identified a fly-tipping issue in the area, where people have been dumping asbestos waste, which could prove lethal if it results in contamination of the air. The material found was roofing material that had been left on allotments in the Barrow area.

Although some of the problems are thought to stem from members of the public that are dumping waste – often without realizing that it is asbestos laden waste – it is also thought that some of the waste is being dumped by workers and contractors who are well aware of the dangers of this type of asbestos waste but may be dumping the waste in order to avoid the cost of getting rid of the asbestos properly.

One council borough spokesperson stated: “We have a large number of incidents of fly-tipping, and we have a relatively small number of successful prosecutions.”

The local council as well as the trade union have been highlighting the problems of the illegal asbestos waste tipping, and aim to try and reduce the problem as well as continue with prosecutions wherever possible.