At least 18 people may have been exposed to asbestos dust from navy ships

At least 18 navy personnel and civilian workers employed by the Department of Defence may have been exposed to potentially dangerous levels of asbestos.

It is feared the number contaminated could be far higher and may include the workers’ unsuspecting family members.

PDFORRA, the organisation which represents Naval Service ordinary ranks, said it has “substantial concerns” about the potential damage to health after it emerged none of the personnel carrying out maintenance on the LÉ Ciara were, at the time, wearing dedicated personnel protective equipment.

The men were exposed to the asbestos material for at least two days. They were also unaware the material they were removing from the ship was asbestos and, as a result, dust may have gathered on their clothes which they took home.

Dust was also likely to have been released into the air around the Haulbowline naval base and may have been breathed in by others.

The Naval Service was unaware asbestos was contained in the ships as consultants undertook an asbestos assessment on all its vessels in 2000 and gave them a clean bill of health.

The alarm was raised by workers who spotted asbestos when they were carrying out maintenance on its sister ship, LÉ Orla, at Verolme dockyard two weeks ago. The asbestos was not interfered with on the LÉ Orla and an order was given to lock down both vessels.

PDFORRA general secretary Gerry Rooney said unfortunately by this stage “people were already grinding down the material and breaking it up” on the LÉ Ciara. “Up to 18 personnel, both civilian and military have been exposed and it could be many more. The asbestos could also be in their homes and others may have come in contact with wind-blow dust when it was carried off the ship.”

Mr Rooney said his organisation was insisting every medical assistance be given to anybody who may have been contaminated. “They [Naval Service] said this will be done,” he said. However, as of yesterday none of the 11 civilian workers had been medically assessed.

A Naval Service spokesman said “medical assessments are ongoing with the naval medical officer for those who were working in the areas”. He said there have been no reports of adverse health affects and should anyone have concerns or show symptoms they are being advised to highlight this to Defence Forces medical staff.

A survey of the two ships has been completed and plans are being made to remove the remaining asbestos in a safe manner.

The spokesman said a survey of the rest of the fleet would also be carried out.