Chelsea house of asbestos horrors
A CHELSEA family has been forced to evacuate their home after it was showered with asbestos.
An uninsured contractor blasted the potentially lethal fibres over the Bath St property while cleaning a neighbour’s roof with a high-pressure water hose.
Site tests revealed three types of asbestos, including the variety which, if inhaled, can cause malignant lung cancer mesothelioma.
Three houses in the street have also been affected, with the clean-up bill expected to top $200,000.
Len Cubitt said his family moved out of their home after receiving medical advice.
They have spent the past four weeks living in a nearby rental property.
However, the contamination means trees, shrubs and even the top soil will be removed.
Dr Cubitt, a forensic engineer, said cleaning up after asbestos contamination was a “huge process”.
“They’ll have to vacuum and wash the brickwork, remove 100mm of soil, the paving, trees and shrubs will all have to go – and possibly the airconditioning and water services as well – it’s an environmental disaster,” Dr Cubitt said. He said he was “dumbfounded” by the contractor’s actions which he said had endangered his family.
“My daughter and son-in-law were down from the country for Christmas and my grandchildren were here,” he said.
Kingston Council chief executive John Nevins said the clean-up, starting this week, would take about 10 days.
“If the owners of the asbestos garage fail to comply with the clean-up notice, council will act to ensure the asbestos is safely removed,” Mr Nevins said.
Environment Protection Authority spokesman Simon Frost said it was a timely reminder to only use registered tradesmen who were adequately insured.
WorkSafe has been notified about the incident.
Article source: http://mordialloc-chelsea-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/chelsea-house-of-horrors/