Carcinogenic asbestos in the air is still a threat to Prague 1
There are clearly visible clouds of dust blowing off when drilling and removing asbestos-cement panels from the hotel facade. The camera footage also shows a violation of occupational safety rules, as workers either have completely insufficient protective equipment or even none at all. We have to point this out to Právo and Novinky.cz on Wednesday, the Prague Hygiene and the municipality did not respond to repeated questions.
The Citizens of Prague 1 Association issued another opinion on this on Thursday, stating:
1. The release of dust into the surroundings is not prevented when the whole panel is released from the frame.
2. The panel is transported from the facades down without any wrapped ones.
3. Stress and release of parts of the panel during its lowering, and thus release of asbestos parts into the environment, is not prevented.
4. Ordinary container, which has no special closure – does not guarantee the release of asbestos and no longer guarantees the safe transport of such a container.
5. The current design of the building therefore does not prevent the release of asbestos dust into the air.
Disposal of asbestos during the reconstruction of the InterContinental hotel
According to the applicable legislation, the producer of asbestos-containing waste and the authorized person who handles asbestos-containing waste are obliged to ensure that asbestos fibers or asbestos dust are not released into the air during this treatment and that liquids containing asbestos fibers are not spilled.
Covering the building would be automatic in Germany
Rostislav Drochytka, Brno University of Technology
Prague Councilor Hana Kordová Marvanová (United Forces for Prague, STAN) Právní said on Thursday that she had read the footage, which shows how dust is removed from the former InterContinental Hotel when removing dangerous asbestos panels. Therefore, she contacted the main Prague hygienist, Zdeněk Jágrová, who promised her to carry out an on-site inspection by the end of the week.
“My opinion is that the building should be clad, covered,” Marvanová told Práva.
According to her, politicians cannot more than intervene in these matters. Also, according to the head of the municipal committee for the environment, Jana Plamínková (United Forces for Prague, STAN), it is a matter of hygiene.
The cover would cost about six million
Rostislav Drochytka from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Brno University of Technology told the news that “Given that the asbestos-cement panels were on the facade, a covering would be appropriate. In Germany, it would be so automatic. “
However, this would cost the owners of the InterContinental buildings, billionaire Pavel Baudiš, Eduard Kučera and Oldřich Šlemr, approximately six million extra crowns.
Disposal of asbestos during the reconstruction of the InterContinental hotel
It’s inexcusable, says the expert
Zoja Guschlová, who is the vice-president of the Czech Association for Asbestos Removal, evaluated the footage from the former InterContinental Hotel as an inexcusable damage to health and the environment.
The Public Health Protection Act and the Waste Act provide a clear procedure for working with asbestos. “The removal of boletic panels should be in a hermetically sealed controlled zone, with connection to special suction units with HEPA filters. The pressure difference in the zone is reduced to prevent leakage of asbestos fibers. Workers use protective equipment when working with asbestos, mainly respiratory protection, protective disposable suits, “described Práva Guschlová.
The dismantling was carried out as if it were not carcinogenic asbestos material
Zoja Guschlová, Vice-Chairwoman of the Czech Association for Asbestos Removal
At the same time, it is necessary to create a multi-chamber personal decontamination entrance to and from the zone. “Protective measures, a controlled zone must always be created, in the case of boletic asbestos panels, the zone must be hermetically sealed,” she explained the conditions of working with asbestos.
If regulations are ignored, hazardous asbestos fibers can be released uncontrollably into the environment and can be inhaled. “Those who do not follow the technological process of working with asbestos are at risk of their health, endangering public health and damaging the environment,” the expert noted.
When working, it is also necessary to remove the penetrating material. “The video I saw shows that the workers only have work tools, they did not perform any penetration. They did not use personal protective equipment. The dismantling took place in a way as if it were not carcinogenic asbestos material, “added Guschlová. At the same time, it is necessary to pack asbestos waste and transport it only through decontamination materials and release it out of the controlled zone.
Zdeněk Krenk, head of the Prague 1 environmental department, said: “Asbestos itself is not harmful. The problem is asbestos fibers, which are released into the air during handling and are subsequently inhaled. These fibers are the cause of cancer. As long as it does not move with the asbestos (crushing, breaking, rubbing), the fibers are not released and it is a stable building material (non-flammable).
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, I had an invited construction manager from Metrostav, who manages the reconstruction of the mentioned hotel. I was assured that the disposal of the building envelope is carried out in accordance with the law, they have a procedure approved by the hygienic station. During Tuesday (May 25), the building was visited by several inspections, including the construction department of the Prague 1 City District Office and hygiene. According to the information, the construction manager submitted all documents for inspection.
From the period of reconstructions, where the material containing asbestos was repaired, usually the practice of hermetic closure of the building. However, according to the findings, this is not the only option and the specific procedure is approved by the relevant hygienic station. It is not necessary how many tons of material are sanitized, but how much is released (can be released) into the air. “
In the light of the filmed citizens during Thursday, from which it is clear that carcinogenic dust is entering the air, the conclusion of the head of the environment of Prague 1 sounds like a really bad joke: “Reconstruction of the InterContinental hotel that all asbestos remediation procedures are carried out in accordance with the applicable legislation and the prescribed procedures of the hygienic station. “
The problem is that the demolition work on the facade of the hotel always takes place from eight to eleven o’clock in the morning, when the inspections are either not carried out or are blind.