Government has admitted around eight hustle truck workers were exposed to asbestos at the Club Med site – but an inquiry has been ruled out.

And those affected have been urged to stop smoking and get their own medical screening for potentially deadly lung diseases which can take years to manifest.

Government said chrysotile and amosite asbestos, used in ceiling coatings and on water pipes as lagging, had been disturbed last month during clearance work on the sixth floor of the former Club Med hotel by Hustle Truck crews supervised by a Landmark Construction foreman.

A spokesman said: "It was inadvertently disturbed when partitions were being removed, an activity that was outside the remit of the work crew employed to remove the loose fittings."

Asked how dangerous the exposure was the response, which came via e-mail late last night, said: "The outcome of asbestos exposure depends on the amount of fibres inhaled and the health of an individual's lungs at the time of inhalation – and even after inhalation.

"Smoking compromises the natural cleansing mechanism, with the result that that smokers are at higher risk in terms of contracting asbestos-related disease. Workers who believe that they have breathed in asbestos fibres are, therefore, advised to stop smoking. Healthy lungs that do not have a history of asbestos exposure may be capable of clearing themselves of a small amount of inhaled asbestos.

"If asbestos fibres are not expelled from the lungs, they can lodge in the tissues and serve as an irritant. No symptoms are immediately apparent, but 20 or 30 years later, a disease condition may present itself. The main diseases are Asbestosis, lung cancer and Mesothelioma."

And probed on whether the workers would be screened the answer was: "An exposed worker is unlikely to see an immediate change in his or her respiratory health following exposure to asbestos because asbestos diseases take many years to manifest themselves.

"It is advisable for workers to find out their present respiratory condition so that any future change can be better detected. Concerned workers should consult their physicians."

But Government said there was no need for a formal inquiry into the blunder.

The spokesman said: "The Ministry of Works and Engineering is fully apprised of the circumstances of the inadvertent disturbance of the asbestos containing material and, having consulted with the Ministry of Health, is satisfied that immediate and appropriate steps were taken once the disturbance was discovered. Consequently, the Ministry sees no need for a formal inquiry at this time."

Earlier yesterday Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson branded the Club Med site a national disgrace and an accident waiting to happen.

Work ceased after Government issued a stop order on demolition work on March 13 after asbestos was disturbed by Hustle Truck workers during clearing work to make way for a new hotel.

Government has admitted it was still in the process of hiring an asbestos abatement crew when the blunder was made.

Mrs. Jackson visited the debris-strewn St. George's venue yesterday where she spoke out about the possible health hazard to trespassers.

She said: "Anyone can walk into this building — from children, to drug users, to vagrants.

"Doors are open, windows are smashed and there has been no serious commitment to preventing unauthorised entry."

She said a tour of the site had revealed open doorways and windows and a few 'no trespassing' signs but no 'danger zone' signs and no barriers to stop people entering.

"For parents concerned for the safety of their children whose curiosity or game-playing can get them into mischief, this building is a serious danger — an accident waiting to happen.

"We believe this building is a serious health hazard because of the presence of asbestos.

"There have already been reports of asbestos in the dangerous friable form, meaning that it can be breathed by anyone who enters here, anyone who disturbs the asbestos."

Government said last month that all debris outside the building had been secured in accordance with safety regulations and the site secured to prevent unauthorised access.

Yet yesterday this newspaper was able to drive right up to the site without any hindrance.

Mrs. Jackson said as well as being a danger to trespassers, the exposed site was a potential danger for the surrounding neighbourhoods in St. George's.

Last week, UBP shadow Works and Engineering spokesman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin called for an inquiry into how Hustle Truck workers were exposed to asbestos in this building.

Mrs. Jackson added: "We would add that any inquiry should address the health concerns of people who live downwind of the building."

She said the Club Med project was wildly out of control and Government needed to outline a clear plan of action to clean and secure the site.

Responding last night Ministry of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess pledged site security would be stepped up.

He said: "The people of Bermuda will already know that demolition of the main hotel building, golf club and beach club at the former Club Med, St. George's is required as the Government wishes to hand over a clean site to the developer of the proposed five-star hotel, residence complex and golf course that will enhance immeasurably the Island's tourism product specifically and St. George's Parish generally."

He said the Premier will soon provide an update on the plan.

Mr. Burgess explained a January 2008 report entitled "Asbestos Assessment and Testing, Club Med, Main Building", prepared by Bermuda Water Consultants Limited, revealed six categories in which asbestos containing material was found in the building.

Around six weeks ago, in order to prepare for the award of the contract for asbestos remediation and demolition, the removal of an enormous amount of furniture, carpeting and other loose debris from the main Club Med building had started, said Mr. Burgess, but when asbestos was disturbed work ceased and the workers withdrew.

Since then the Ministry of Health has given permission for asbestos abatement to take place in the basement area of the former hotel, said Mr. Burgess.

That work, scheduled to commence tomorrow, will be carried out by B&B Fiber Tech Ltd., a local company which ensures full compliance with all required heath and safety measures.

Mr. Burgess went on: "B&B Fiber Tech Ltd. staff members will also ensure that the basement area, including the boiler room, is inaccessible to anyone other than fully qualified asbestos removers or representatives of Government agencies whilst the work is in progress. They will also ensure that the area is fully secure when they leave at the end of the day.

"B&B Fiber Tech Ltd. staffers will also sift through the pile of rubble currently in front of the building to ensure that there is no asbestos containing material there.

"Should any such material be found, it will be properly extracted, wrapped and transported to the Government Quarry where it will be stored and secured in a manner approved by the Department of Health."

He said security staff have been assigned to the main hotel building on a 24/7 basis for more than a decade.

"The contract with the security company lapsed yesterday and due to administrative oversight, arrangements were not made for the security provisions to roll over into this month.

"That situation has now been corrected. With immediate effect, there will be 24/7 security coverage at the site. Additionally, 'No Trespassing' signs have been posted on the grounds.

"Mrs. Jackson is right when she suggests that a determined individual is able to gain access to the building.

"She is wrong when she suggests that there is no commitment to preventing unauthorized entering. That is far from the truth.

"But we have learned something from Mrs. Jackson. She has reminded us that there are persons in the community who will ignore 'No Trespassing' signs and the like, even if it means putting themselves at risk.

"Consequently, we shall be enhancing security provisions at the site, including the erection of barriers that will make unauthorized access even more difficult.

"We will also increase the number of security guards at the site during the daytime and overnight. We look forward to the cooperation of the public as the asbestos abatement and subsequent demolition initiatives unfold."