The ministry of health (MOH) is of the opinion that symptoms of illness suffered by students at the Roseau Primary School are not caused by asbestos.
It has been reported that several students from the institution became ill after a building on the nearby Government Information Service (GIS) compound was demolished last week and many have speculated that this was caused by the construction material.
The MOH disagrees.
“The Ministry of Health is of the opinion that asbestos-containing material removed from the GIS building may not be the cause of the symptoms manifested by the students, since asbestos is not related to acute conditions due to exposure of the asbestos fibres,” the MOH said in a release late Tuesday afternoon.
According to the release, asbestos- containing panels were removed from the GIS compound on Thursday, January 23 “under the supervision of the Dominica Solid Waste Corporation and transported to the landfill at Fond Cole, observing all necessary precautions.”
The release stated that on that day students at the school became ill manifesting “symptoms including itchy skin, dizziness and nausea … and were sent home.”
But the ministry pointed out that the asbestos in the panels were bound with “other construction material including granite” and could not have caused the students to become ill.
“The bounded asbestos is unable to get airborne in any large concentration to lead to disease,” the release explained, further stating that symptoms suffered by the students may be the results of other factors “for which the Ministry of Health is presently conducting investigations.”
The ministry said it will keep the public informed on the situation and has appealed for calm.
Asbestos has been mainly associated with chronic lung diseases including mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that develops from the cells of the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body and asbestosis, a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic medical condition affecting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs.
It affects individuals who are involved in the manufacturing and construction sector and exposed to high levels of asbestos fibres for a long time.
liars liars you’ll pants on fire
I think it sound like toxic mold not abestosis
This very serious that thing give cancer
i dont know wats going on i just think that this needs to be looked over because something is making these children sick an maybe even those teacher feeling ill
That was the same reation to some teachers and students in Belize when a school with asbestos was demolished’ sneezing and itching due to the noxious clouds with Ab particles etc.
If the Ministry of health knew that the duilding which was being demolished had a quantity of asbestos, why didn’t they inform the ministry of education in order to close the school for the day. Their condition may not be asbestos related but the dust could have infected their lungs and had them sick.
Can the assessors check the area as well to see if their are the type of trees which itch called pwois quois tay. (Just thinking of possible causes) it has been very windy.
To assess the environment for the level of asbestos is somewhat late because the wind would have blow it away by now. Was sufficient precaution taken during the demolition of the building?
Does the child/children has/have pre-existing conditions and the excess dust may have triggered it? There are many questions.
What about the residents of Bath Estate, the staff at GIS?
I listened to the PS health. I think she answered yes too quickly where the safety of the area is concerned because if you are carrying out an analysis of the situation, its only when its concluded you can give a response. (Just my thoughts of the situation).
I think there was an error not keeping the children away during demolition.
MOH if you so quick to diagnose and tell us what its not then be quick and tell us what it is.we are waiting!!
when someone is working with asbestos the workers removing the material should wear respirators, i hope the Solid Waste department is well equipped and sought to ensure that their workers were protected.
Also, the area where the material is being removed should be confined. The entire work space should be confined. ll dust and material particles should be vacuumed out to a containerized unit so the dust doesn’t get airborne.
I hope all of these precautions were adhered to.
I worked with an insulation company in NY. One crew did asbestos removal then 6 months later our crew would redo the insulation using fiberglass.
Be guided accordingly
Isn’t fiberglass nearly as dangerous as asbestos?
Well, you know Dominica is not going to have these sophisticated asbestos handling equipments as NY/US – but it would be interesting to know what type of equipments were used.
Oh, i am sure that you also think that the cars we drive in Dominica do not have computerized components “as NY/US”. In fact, you probably even think that we s_ _ t differently from you in “NY/US.”
the much simpler solution to abestos removal which would be better suited for d/a would be to have the material soaked with water at all removal stages including disposal.No need for all this high tech american crap.Simple water bath is adequate at removal and disposal.
fool even when you doing fiberglass insulation in homes and buildings the proper attire must include a simple dust mask for the minimum.
How often you go a jobsite and see people working in slippers……..precaution is better than cure.
there is nothing high tech about sealing the area with plastic sheeting to keep dust particles confined to one area at the same time you have an industrial sized vaccum taking that dust and air straight to a containerized vehicle parked nearby.
what is so high tech about that???????
you see people walking everyday with high tech gadgets………what are you trying to say…….
that we should not use de proper nethods and observe proper safe working conditions……….in 2014
boss man we not living in 1950 again
everybody have cell pone…even those that never had and still don’t have a land line phone in there house
I am not the one who said the place had asbestos……i was only shedding light on de safeguards that need to be observed
have u worked in an asbestos environment before?
I am well pleased and proud that the company i worked with took all the necessary precaution to safeguard my health
“The bounded ASBESTOS is unable to get airborne in any large concentration to lead to disease.” So then, tell us what quantity (if airborne) would cause disease. 1,000,000.00 particle per cubic ft.? Was the air quality tested during and after the operation? Were people who lived or worked nearby notified in advance that asbestos or asbestos material was going to be handled? Was an air monitor put in place to give those concerned some assurance that the air quality taken by the monitor posed no risk to them? I’m also wondering how was this material transported.
Landfill in Fond Cole? Isn’t Fond Cole part of Roseau now? Well, when the wind blows, the Asbestos will rock, and down will come Fond Cole people with asthma and more.
In the US, all buildings constructed before 1978 are tested for asbestos prior to demolition. If asbestos is detected, the structure must be encapsulated during abatement regardless of location. It becomes the responsibility of the contractor to inform the school of its findings so that appropriate protective measures could be effected to ensure the safety of the public at large, or in this case, school children in particular.
Asbestos is hazardous in the friable state; but if it was contained – wet, wrapped and bound – as indicated by MOH, the toxic threat was removed, and itching could be caused by other chemical particles that became airborne during demolition. It takes time for an analysis of the air sample to be conclusive if the appropriate equipment is unavaible on site.
I totally disagree, something must have caused the reaction. I spoke to a teacher and it is being reported one child was taken to hospital three times in a day from fainting spells. I think the MOH put out that press release too quickly, please carry out proper investigations our children are the ones being affected.
the MOH. is simply just covering up, and we all know that school should have been transfer to a temp. location while the type of dangerous material is been handle ITS our kids you all we are the ones to protect them today is the stated symptoms later is cancer then the bill is ours
so nobody not wondering how come gis staff didnt faint and had itches as well??? when Dominicans speak, do you really think before? smh …the more I read comments the more I am convinced that this country is just displaying such a high level of ignorance and constructive discussion here is rare.
” am convinced that this country is just displaying such a high level of ignorance and constructive discussion here is rare.”
Sadly, i have to agree with you on this.
According to the release, asbestos- containing panels were removed from the GIS compound on Thursday, January 23 “under the supervision of the Dominica Solid Waste Corporation and transported to the landfill at Fond Cole, observing all necessary precautions.”
Yes it was taken to the landfill but was it properly disposed once it got there, or was it just disposed of together with all the other waste. People aroung that landfill have to be careful too, because asbestos is a thing that needs to be disposed of very carefully.
All you are to idle in Dominica find something constructive to do.You guys moan to much about the least problems.Someone mentioned that DA was a sick country are they sick to because they are part of it or let me see you are to smart to have that kind of mentallity.Bravo Dominicans
Asbestosis,mostly found in dry wood,no early side effects but can remain in the body for 30 years.it is a kind of powder
if is not asbestos..is WHAT????
Asbestos cannot cause the symptoms discussed and the MOH said that it was cased in granite supervised by the solid waste department. It could be molds or some other substance and they are investigating before they make a statement what is you all’s friggin problem/ no need for mass hysteria now is time to be level headed and try to solve this together. Parents get together get help, get information and do not let people take you for a political ride, its your kids they should not be used. If you have to harass the MOH to deal with this please do but beware of people trying to use you for their own purpose.
Nicely put.
They must have inhaled something. What should have been done at the onset of their ill feeling was to immediately send them to a medical doctor to examine them. Take blood samples as well. The result of the prognosis should prove whatever it was they inhaled which caused them to be sick.
Oh Boy!Negative people.All their action or reaction is in the negative never a way to help solve a problem.Nothing is to their satisfaction always a complain be it good or bad.Do,they criticize;Don’t do, they criticize.
It is a coincidence (where I am concerned) that you stated this. I thought of it as well; never a suggestion, always negativity, criticisms and crying down everything even when good deeds are performed and prior to knowing the truth, the latter they never consider.
We could ask what type of people are they? They depict lack of fruitfulness and worthiness to try to make anything better in Dominica and to rectify the situation. Yet, as nationals, this should be their obligation.
I guees You did not have a Child going to that School with a secretive Government that says nothing to the People and leaves them to speculate.Things have to be done properly .If You cause my kids to have a life long sickness or die prematurly I could become very agitated and unstable!You say it so cool “Do they critisize,dont do they critisize”If You cant do it without sacrificing the health of our Children then dont do it !Sacre tonneur!
Is not asbestos so what the hell is it? We deserve to know, NOW. Where is the Minister of Education?
Do you even know what asbestos is ? oh no lets wait for the minister of education to tell us.
I strongly believe too, that if they were getting sick because of the asbestos, the people who live close to GIS would get sick too. Also, the staff at GIS would have taken ill as well. It could be something else in the area or in the building itself which is responsible for this. I do pray that whatever the problem is, it will be resolved soonest.
Lol! SMH.
Granite! Well look it , I better remove my granite counter tops in my kitchen.
so is wat? Is not that is wat/ tell us blind bats
You are correct !! As blind as a Bat. don’t try to research for yourself but just wait someone will give you the answer Blind Bat
Thew ministry has no basis to make such a statement, not a simple sample or air monitoring has been done, yet it is discarding categorically. This country is really sick
Where is the Minister of Education. Now he needs to be heard.Not only when the learned Dr Fontaine is speaking the truth about his country, something St Jean obviously cannot cope with. They hate the truth.
Politics as usual !!! Thats actually making the country sick POLITICS!!!
parents, do not take this lightly.
On what authority is the Min. of Ed. speaking. Parents get together and do your own investigation. Pull your resources together and get an expert. This is not something to be taken lightly.
All i can say is big stueeeps!!!! What nonesense MOH talking dere nuh….those people like to take Dominicans for joke oui
Good to see MOH finally came out. An earlier press release would have been wiser.
Would like to know if the public was notified of the demolition and was air monitoring conducted? It only takes one asbestos fibre to cause cancer. I have seen this story played out several yrs ago in PSS and demolition and disposal was anything but professional.
With the rate of various cancers in Dom the MOH needs to be more serious about handeling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
So our Ministry of health is confused? It does not know either.I see this as a matter of URGENCY! So people are free to speculate then? Where are our priorities?
While Skerrit is lying through his teeth saying Linton is cursing China, Venezuela, etc, he cannot open his mouth to ally the fears of our concerned parents? Where is Petter St Jean?
I SYMPATHIZE WITH THE PARENTS. Can you imagine sending your child or children to school, a place you expect them to be safe, and this is happening to them? WHERE IS PETTER PEPPER? Come on say something to the parents St Jean. When Fontaine spoke the truth a few days ago, to Dominicans in the USA, you were all up in arms against him, because the truth hurt you badly. Now our children and teachers are involved, Mr St Jean people need to hear you morning, noon and night, 7days a week,60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day.
ARE YOU MOO MOO NOW? ARE THE CHILDREN AND TEACHERS IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I AM CONCERNED MYSELF.
You need to convince the parenbts urgently that their children are safe. It’s not asbestos tell the people what. Tell them how long it will take you to know what? Other than that you spoke too fast.
The long term adverse health problems of inhalation of asbestos particles will always be a concern for everyone. Let’s hope that none of the children had any of it.
We must be vigilant in monitoring this unfortunate event. We understand that it is the opinion of the ministry of health (MOH) that symptoms of the illness suffered by the students is not caused by the asbestos. That’s good news for the parent for now, but that’s just an opinion.
The MOH should still have taken preventative methods knowing that the material contained asbestos by allowing the children to stay home while the building was being demolished. You never know so to be safe, they should have asked the children to stay home.