STAFF, patients and visitors at the Canberra Hospital have been warned they may have come into contact with airborne asbestos fibres yesterday. 

ACT Health issued a “precautionary” alert yesterday afternoon advising that recent air monitoring detected unidentified airborne fibres in levels seven and nine of the hospital’s main tower block.

The air monitoring was part of standard safety measures associated with refurbishment works taking place on level eight, involving the removal of old vinyl adhesive known to contain bonded asbestos fibres.

Refurbishment has since been suspended.

ACT Health Public Health physician Charles Guest says the site remains safely contained while investigations take place to determine if the unknown fibres are mineral, organic, or asbestos.

He considers the risk of asbestos exposure “to be remote.”

Airborne fibre readings could be attributed to a range of factors including everyday activities such as changing of hospital bed sheets and blankets, dust from other preparatory construction works, or clothing fibres.

For further non?medical information, including arrangements at the hospital, or for people who have
visited the hospital, contact Canberra Connect on 13 2281.