Allotments No 18 - Contamination of Land No 1.

Two reports of asbestos being found on allotments came my way this morning at about 6.45am. The incidents were, briefly recounted:

1. asbestos roof sheeting had been buried on an allotment site; and,
2. the destruction by fire of an allotment site's community shed/shop revealed asbestos in the roof.

Given the possibility of very serious illness resulting from inhaling asbestos particles one hopes that the buriers, removers, firemen and allotmenteers will not suffer in the distant future.

Statutory documents, eg the Control of Asbestos Regulations apply formally to owners and occupiers of certain buildings but I have not seen any references to asbestos and allotments until this morning.

Obviously the Environment Agency officials and workers involved in the first instance and the fire service firemen and officials in the second instance were aware of the dangers and initiated suitable precautions, eg the firemen had breathing apparatus. hoefull all is well.

The two reports have me pondering on allotments and contamination - I intend to come back to the issues if I find more about the subject!