Asbestos fly-tipped in New Forest

Investigation launched after potentially toxic roof sheeting dumped

Author: Mike DraperPublished 8th Apr 2022
Last updated 8th Apr 2022

New Forest District Council is investigating a large fly-tip of asbestos roof tiles in Stoney Cross.

It's very likely the roofing materials were dumped by a rogue trader.

Asbestos is a very harmful substance, and is known to cause cancer.

According to the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE):

* Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year, this is more than the number of people killed on the road.

* Around 20 tradesman die each week as a result of past exposure

* Asbestos is not just a problem of the past. It can be present today in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000

If materials containing asbestos are disturbed or damaged, asbestos fibres get released into the air, which in turn can cause serious diseases including, a number of cancers, asbestosis, and a range of lung and breathing problems.

Details about this despicable incident at Stoney Cross has been posted on the authority's Facebook page.

In a statement NFDC said:

"Dumping waste poses danger to wildlife, harms our Forest, and is illegal. If you have any information which could help us with this case, please email customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk or call us on 023 8028 5000."

"Remember, if you're employing someone to take your waste away, check they are a licensed waste carrier. You can ask for the waste carrier license number and check it on the Environment Agency's website."