constituents in alleged dangerous asbestos clean-up By Stephen Breen Opposition MPs called for a full public inquiry into the "reckless'' removal of potentially deadly asbestos from homes in Southside following allegations that it was a risk to local residents and schoolchildren.

Local Progressive Labour Party MP Arthur Pitcher, whose construction firm carried out the removal, was accused of putting money before his constituents' health.

Mr. Pitcher has consistently refused to comment. Yesterday he maintained his silence in the face of a barrage of attacks about the alleged conduct of his company. Health Minister Nelson Bascome was condemned yesterday for failing to say anything since the story appeared in The Royal Gazette Monday.

In the House of Assembly yesterday Mr. Bascome made no indication he would carry out an inquiry, insisting proper health procedures had been followed.

However United Bermuda Party MPs insisted they had spoken to people who had seen the demolition work who confirmed Mr. Pitcher's firm had flouted all the safety procedures, exposing residents and children to potentially deadly cancerous diseases in the future.

The Royal Gazette revealed on Monday that construction workers alleged the asbestos was taken away in open trucks and that workers did not wear proper protective gear.

One construction worker said the asbestos, which was clearly marked, was not taken out before demolition at the site at St. David's began, which could pose a threat to children in nearby Clearwater Middle School.

Shadow Health Minister Kim Young told MPs yesterday: "There are really grave concerns about the health of the people in St. David's.

"I expected to see a response from the Minister of Health that he would come out and allay fears about the health problem, but nothing has been said.

"Why hasn't the minister stood up to say something. I am appalled to think the claims are true that these buildings were bulldozed without asbestos protections taken beforehand.

"The minister acknowledged asbestos was in these buildings. Once these buildings containing asbestos are bulldozed without specialist removal techniques that asbestos becomes friable , that is mashed up and going out into the air, and that's where the serious hazard is.

"It can go into the body through the mouth and it can pierce the lining within the body.

"Asbestos is related to lung disease but you might not find out anything about it until 20 years down the road.

"For Arthur Pitcher to go around mashing asbestos at the expense of people's health really is a serious claim and it is an awful thought to think that many people's health may be affected.

"If this is true, all these people continue to be affected. Number one affected are the contractors who did the demolition.

More House coverage, Page 4 Pitcher sits out chance to clear the air on asbestos cleanup "The children at Clearwater School could have had fried asbestos flying over there and the people of St. David's could have it in their water tanks.

"Why is the minister so silent when there is a need to allay peoples' fears, that things are OK? Clearwater needs to be assured that the children are OK, the people around need to be assured and the workers need to be assured.'' Ms Young said she was concerned that a quango, Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), was allowing the regulations to be flouted, which was unacceptable.

She said the only way to get to the truth of the matter and re-assure people about potential health risks was though a full independent inquiry.

Mr. Bascome gave no undertaking an inquiry would be held but said he would not compromise any citizen's health.

But he said: "For an honourable member to imply that I'm shirking my responsibility is furthermost from the truth.

"There were specific parts of demolition that were targeted to say there was a percentage of asbestos was at a level that had to be stated and removed by a professional firm and the Department of Health did an inspection.'' When UBP members asked when the inspection had been done, Mr. Bascome said "at the beginning''.

"We had a professional firm that went to do an analysis of these buildings.

If you read the article in The Royal Gazette you will see there are comments made by Mr. Dill.

"We have technical members of the civil service that we get information from and I believe the information passed to me at this moment was very truthful.

"There were different percentage levels, different amounts, and those targeted more were treated more.'' Mr. Pitcher refused invitations from the Opposition to explain what happened and UBP MPs were not satisfied with Mr. Bascome's comments.

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin described Mr. Pitcher's firm's actions as "careless and reckless''.

She said she had studied asbestos removal as her husband worked in the industry.

She said Bermuda Water Consultants had looked at the buildings and determined there was asbestos that had to be properly abated.

She said the asbestos work had to be done before demolition "and therein lies the danger. Once the evaluation is made there are specific regulations in place about how the asbestos is abated and taken out.

"To go in and bulldoze a building immediately even with a little bit of asbestos does not give us any comfort for the minister even to say it is only a little bit.'' She added: "Anyone who has had asbestos exposure their health is compromised and not to be able to have the benefit of a proper abatement procedure, we've done a disservice to them.'' She said the buck stopped with Mr. Bascome who should ensure there would be an inquiry.

"The health of the people of St. David's has been compromised and I would hate to see any of these children with white lung disease. It is possible because we've failed to minimise exposure.'' Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons also called for a public inquiry.

Dr. Gibbons said: "We've heard nothing here that's to deny the allegations and Arthur Pitcher has put his pecuniary interests ahead of the interests of his constituents.

"Someone was in a hurry to get those buildings knocked down and he has admitted he jumped the gun (by beginning demolition of houses earmarked for affordable housing at Southside without a building certificate).

"Mr. Mello had to stop the demolition before it was completed. We've heard the material was taken in open trucks. Anyone who breathes that could be exposed to health risks.

"It is really important that we, and particularly the members of the St.

David's community who have potentially been exposed and those at Clearwater are given a very clear account of what went on down there.

"As far as we can tell there has been a real injustice.'' Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell said there had been silence from the other side over the issue.

"The Government may malign The Royal Gazette , the Bermuda Sun , the Mid-Ocean News and every UBP organ as they see it, but this (the House) is not an organ, it is the House and I challenge them to get up and speak,'' he said.

Mr. Dodwell challenged Mr. Pitcher, who sat through the debate but did not speak, to come clean and tell people what had happened.

"He has a unique opportuntiy. He was involved. He represents the people and he did the work. I ask the member to speak and tell us what happened.

"There seems to be an extremely cavalier attitude to asbestos if these allegations are true, and we've got reason to believe they are true because we've spoken to people there when the demolition took place.'' Arthur Pitcher