EuropeSouth AsiaAsia PacificAmericasMiddle EastAfricaBBC HomepageWorld ServiceEducation
News image
News image
News image
News imageNews image
News image
Front Page
News image
World
News image
UK
News image
UK Politics
News image
Business
News image
Sci/Tech
News image
Health
News image
Education
News image
Sport
News image
Entertainment
News image
Talking Point
News image
In Depth
News image
On Air
News image
Archive
News image
News image
News image
Feedback
Low Graphics
Help
News imageNews imageNews image
News imageMonday, November 1, 1999 Published at 22:13 GMT
News image
News image
UK: Wales
News image
College workers exposed to asbestos risk
News image
Asbestos was banned when the health risks were realised
News image
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating after 11 workers at a north Wales college developed asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos Insulation boards were discovered in Bangor University workshops 14 years after it was banned.

Brown asbestos is considered such a threat to health that handling it demands the highest safety standards.

Yet at Bangor University, workers have been exposed to it 14 years after it was banned in the building industry.


[ image: The material was widely used in the 50s and 60s]
The material was widely used in the 50s and 60s
"We have been in the middle of this stuff for years and no one said a thing," a worker who wished to remain anonymous told the BBC Wales' current affairs programme "Taro Naw".

Following an investigation by the programme, it has emerged that 11 workers and former staff have been diagnosed with asbestos-related disease.

In a statement, the university said: "The college does not believe that any academic staff or students have been put in danger."

Asbestos became widely used in the 50s and 60s as a flame retardant material.

But in the 80s both blue and brown asbestos were banned when the health risks were discovered.

However, the time-lag between exposure and developing lung disease can be as much as 40 years.

Interviewed on the programme, solicitor Joanna Stevens said: "There are regulations in place regarding asbestos removal and nobody should be in the area.

"I am very surprised that people were left in a place where there was asbestos."

News image


Advanced options | Search tips


News image
News image
News imageBack to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage |
News image

News imageNews imageNews image
News imageInternet Links
News image
News imageNews image
Health and Safety Executive
News image
Bangor University
News image
News imageNews image
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

News image
News image
News image
News imageIn this section
News image
Labour explores Assembly election wounds
News image
Delays hit coach crash compensation
News image
Ex-headmaster guilty of more sex charges
News image
Museum in pay-off probe
News image
Euro row over "Welsh" money rebate
News image
Germans challenge Cardiff for Tyson fight
News image
Ticket chief resigns after World Cup fiasco
News image
Quick-thinking driver foils 'carjacker'
News image
Spring clean for river
News image
Roman remains may halt rugby centre plan
News image
Olympic rider Sir Harry is mourned
News image
The Welsh Week at Westminster
News image
Hanged farmer had been cautioned
News image
Children take over the Assembly
News image
Assembly security review follows pupil's 'threat'
News image
Opposition parties criticise Health Secretary
News image
Welsh airline is launched
News image
Anglesey power plan may bring 1,500 jobs
News image
Former paratroopers recruited drugs courier
News image
Star's cyber-fans help Welsh charity
News image
Labour election inquest blames party rifts
News image
New factory creates 500 jobs
News image
Bassey will go world wide on the web
News image
French boycott gathers pace
News image
Villagers fume at delay over sewage problem
News image
Pensioner leaves fortune to birds
News image
MP demands return of Glyndwr letter
News image

News image
News image
News image