Asbestos Discovered in Tunnels Under St Pancras Hospital

By James

Category: Industry

Asbestos Discovered in Service Tunnels Beneath St Pancras Hospital

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Hospitals are places where safety and health should be a top priority. However, the recent discovery of asbestos beneath St Pancras Hospital in Camden, North London, has raised concerns about the safety of hospital staff and visitors.

Asbestos Found in Hospital Tunnels

In the autumn of 2015, it was revealed that a network of service tunnels running underneath St Pancras Hospital had to be sealed off due to the presence of significant amounts of asbestos. These tunnels, used regularly by hospital staff for access and transport, were found to contain hazardous asbestos materials. Upon investigation by specialist asbestos analysts brought in by the Hospital Trust, two of the most dangerous types of asbestos were identified: amosite and crocidolite, more commonly known as brown and blue asbestos.

Concerns Over Asbestos Management

The discovery has sparked concerns about whether the hospital’s asbestos management practices were thorough enough. The NHS Trust took ownership of St Pancras Hospital in 2012, but it is now being questioned if adequate asbestos surveys and risk assessments were carried out when they assumed responsibility. Given the age of the buildings—some of which date back to 1777, when the site was a workhouse—it may not be surprising that asbestos was present. However, the failure to identify and manage these dangerous materials before they posed a risk is alarming.

What is particularly troubling is that this isn't the first time asbestos has caused harm at St Pancras Hospital. In 1998, a former consultant brought a lawsuit against the then Camden and Islington Mental Health Trust, claiming he developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the hospital. He later died from the disease, and the Trust was ordered to pay £1 million in damages to his family.

Public Reassurance and Staff Safety

In response to the recent discovery, the Trust has reassured the public that there is no danger to patients or visitors from the asbestos found in the tunnels. Their primary focus now is on the safety of hospital staff who may have been exposed. Those who were potentially at risk are being provided with specialist screenings and access to occupational health services.

However, there is a growing concern that these health checks may not be enough. Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, can take years—even decades—to develop. While immediate lung tests are being conducted, the long latency period of these diseases means that the full impact of any exposure may not be known for some time.

A Continuing Issue

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident in UK hospitals. As more asbestos is discovered in older buildings, instances of potential exposure will likely continue to come to light. The situation at St Pancras Hospital highlights the ongoing need for stringent asbestos management and regular checks in all buildings where asbestos might still be present. Ensuring the safety of hospital staff, patients, and the public must remain a priority.