Public safety and the protection of the environment will come before cost when dealing with the Island's asbestos problem.

That was the message from Environment Minister Harry Soares as he revealed how the Government was proposing to deal with the deadly material extracted from buildings and other sites across Bermuda.

Currently there are 200 containers of asbestos in the Government quarry at Bailey's Bay and the number is expected to increase as discoveries are made from time to time.

Mr. Soares said: "We will do what is right. You can't be talking about saving dollars and taking risks.

"I personally would want a permanent solution now, I don't want to see the stuff stored around for my grandchildren to deal with it.'' Two options are being considered to deal with the asbestos, either to export the material to an overseas plant for processing or to build a plant in Bermuda.

The cost of technology to render asbestos completely safe is put at $2 million but Mr. Soares is hoping the cost will come down as technology advances.

The recycling option provides a safe by-product that can be used for mixing concrete or as aggregate for road building.

He said it was expensive at present and was also brand new equipment.

"We want to have a look at it to make sure it does work,'' he said. "We think technology is going to help us deal with it on a permanent basis.

Whether or not it means a plant here or sending it away, it will be the safest thing to do.'' But the solution to the problem will take years and not months, he added.

In the meantime, Mr. Soares reassured the public that the current storage of asbestos was completely safe and would continue to be until an option was decided upon -- particularly as more discoveries would probably be made.

"It will be trickling out for years. Until 20 years ago it was a well respected product.'' The material is stored in small bags, doubled wrapped, and sealed inside containers.

"I am completely satisfied that the safety of the public and the environment is 100 percent,'' the Minister said.

PILING UP -- Containers storing asbestos at the Government Quarry in Bailey's Bay are shown in this 1996 file photo.

Graphic file name: BOCCCES