UK: Mother and infant driven out of their home by asbestos

Derry, UK – A mother and her infant daughter were forced to evacuate their home after workers discovered and removed asbestos from the airing cupboard of her flat in Altcar Park.

Paula Given, the mother of one, is outraged at the Housing Executive who sent the contractors to her home. The workers, while installing gas heating, reportedly removed the asbestos from the airing cupboard before checking to see what the material was. Paula criticized them, saying that as tradesmen in the industry, they should be know what asbestos looks like and how to handle it properly.

Upon discovery that it was asbestos, Paula immediately evacuated her home with her daughter for fear over the child’s health, leaving all of her possessions behind. The home has been declared contaminated by the Housing Executive, which offered to put the two into temporary accommodations. Paula said the accommodation had no furniture so she had to book a hotel room instead.

A spokesperson for the Housing Executive confirmed that along with Paula’s flat, there were two more in Altcar Park that were contaminated with asbestos. Certified asbestos contractors will be hired to perform the abatement. The spokesperson said that they are working to get the situation resolved as soon as possible so tenants could return to their homes.

The flats have been sealed off and the Housing Executive is working with private landlords to find temporary housing for the tenants. However, Paula told reporters that the cleanup was expected to take three to four weeks.

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