A consultant from the firm hired to advise on Bermuda?s asbestos problem is already on the Island and conducting research, according to a Government spokesperson.

The consultant from WS Atkins Consultants Limited is currently reviewing information which has been collected in the past, and will be conducting interviews during his stay in Bermuda.

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office signed the contract with WS Atkins, a global firm, to provide ?independent technical advice to the Government of Bermuda on the best and most cost effective method for disposal of asbestos stored on the Island,? stated a Government House Press statement.

WS Atkins aim to produce a draft report on Bermuda?s options by the end of March, 2004, the statement said.

?The Government of Bermuda asked the UK to give technical advice on the disposal of asbestos, as part of the clean-up of the former US bases and the longer term problem of locally stored asbestos waste.

?The purpose of the project is to carry out a comprehensive and comparative review of the available options for disposal.

?This review will take into account all costs, international regulations, time-scale, insurance and liability issues, local environmental concerns, current health risks and any implications for future hazardous waste disposal.?

The FCO will be picking up the bill for the consultation, said the Government spokesperson.

Asbestos can be found in about 70 percent of the abandoned buildings on the former US bases, and more than 25 percent of that is crumbling.

According to the Government House statement, the US left an estimated 150 20-foot sea containers of asbestos on the baselands.

There are about 411 asbestos containers currently being stored in Bermuda at two locations.