Asbestos-affected families 'lose everything'

A number of families who were recently evacuated from council housing facilities in Inverkeithing have been told that all their possessions must be destroyed, it has emerged.

According to reports by the Tayside and Fife Courier, following the evacuation of residents, although a total of six families have now been advised that their properties are safe enough to permit their return, the prospects of a further six are significantly bleaker.

This other group of six families have been advised that all of their possessions that cannot be cleaned of asbestos fibres - including clothes - will all need to be destroyed before it will be possible for them to return to their homes.

"Everybody is in shock. They can't believe that something like this could have happened in this day and age," said one of the residents.

"I was told the levels of contamination were low, but whatever the levels, if you breath in asbestos fibres it's a danger to health," he added.

Asbestos contamination occurred after work was carried out to replace a number of water storage tanks. The work is believed to have resulted in brown asbestos becoming loose.

Brown asbestos is a substance often used in instances where it is necessary to for the asbestos to act as a retardant against fire.

Find out more about Asbestos.