Kids made sandcastles with ‘pieces of asbestos’
CHILDREN have been found building sandcastles with pieces of material feared to be asbestos from the site of an old power station, leading to concerns in the area.
An investigation has now been launched into reports of alleged asbestos being found on Burry Port beach from the site of the former Carmarthen Bay Power Station.
According to Burry Port deputy mayor Mike Theodoulou, there is “growing evidence” of the material on the beach. He says that young children building sandcastles on the beach were also found decorating them with what residents say is “flaking, dusty pieces” of what is believed to be asbestos.
Carmarthenshire Council has insisted that the material posed “very little risk”.
However Mr Theodoulou described the material as “flaking and powdery” which could make it dangerous.
“I think it is a huge problem and I am angry about this, I’m not going to let it go because children are playing on the beach and there’s evidence that they are using crumbling and flaking asbestos to decorate their sandcastles.”
He said that the person who spotted the children thankfully intervened.
“It’s a ridiculous situation, it’s been reported to me by two members of the community who were very concerned, took samples from our beach, sent them off to a laboratory in Bristol, at their own expense, and the results proved that it was asbestos and they have the reports.
“I’m not letting this go, this is a danger to my community,” he said.
He said that he has met with some very concerned people in the area.
Writing on Facebook, he said: “Cllr Karen Morris and I met some very concerned citizens on our beach in Burry Port. They have been trying to get something done about the growing evidence of asbestos on our beach but nobody is listening.”
He said that the authorities were informed months ago.
“There has been no investigation to establish how dangerous this may or may not be and no attempt to put up signs and notices to warn people using the beach,” he added.
Carmarthenshire Council said that they have asked specialists to assess a small amount of material that could potentially contain asbestos, which has been spotted amongst rocks and shingle on a short stretch of beach near Burry Port.
The material, that looks like rubble and small sections of corrugated sheet, has been seen in a small area some way east of the harbour where coastal erosion is uncovering some remains of previous industrial use in the area.
The council is reassuring members of the public that the wet conditions of the beach means the material poses very little risk – asbestos fibres only become a risk if they are disturbed and become airborne.
However members of the public are being asked not to touch or move the material so that it can be properly assessed and dealt with.
Cllr Philip Hughes, the council’s executive board member for public protection,
said: “We have acted on reports of sightings of material that could potentially contain asbestos on a small stretch of the beach between Burry Port and Pwll.
“This is in an area where some remains of the power station that was demolished in the 1990s is being uncovered by coastal erosion.
“While we can be reassured that the material – even if it is found to contain asbestos – poses very little risk due to the wet conditions of the area, we advise people to leave the material alone.”
Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, executive board member for culture, sport and tourism, added: “While we await the imminent advice of the specialists we will continue to monitor the beach as part of our routine inspections and will take any necessary action as and when we are advised, including localised notices.”
Asbestos is a fibre-like material that was once commonly used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing. The council said it is not harmful if left alone. Some people who have been exposed long-term to airborne asbestos fibres could develop a condition called asbestosis. Anyone concerned about exposure to asbestos should seek advice from their GP.
Rowland Sharp, senior marine advisor for Natural Resources Wales, said: “We will provide advice to Carmarthenshire Council on any possible environmental impact.”