Canada: Asbestos found in a pediatric operating room

Halifax, Nova Scotia - Non-emergency children's surgeries at IWK Health Centre have been postponed for the rest of the week following the discovery of asbestos.

Hospital officials confirmed asbestos was found in the ductwork of one of the pediatric operating suites on Tuesday and that a full assessment has begun regarding the situation. However, they couldn't confirm whether any surgeries had been taking place when the deadly substance was found.

The suite was sealed off immediately, and all operations scheduled for the room were moved to one of the other five children's operating rooms. However, those suites were also sealed off after further testing later that day. Officials announced non-urgent surgeries would be postponed until next week and all emergencies would be performed in one of the women's operating suite but pointed out that there have been no emergency cases so far to require that action.

The hospital released a statement stating rigorous air safety testing revealed no signs of asbestos fibers.

Vice President of Patient Care Jocelyn Vine said the staff was not aware of the presence of asbestos. She said hospital officials are still assessing the incident and have yet to decide whether the discovery of asbestos would affect the $48 million redevelopment project of the children's ward currently underway. She added that there is no reason for families of children in the hospital to be worried at the moment.

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