THE HSE HAS confirmed that asbestos was found at University Hospital Galway, but says that there is no danger to the public.

The HSE today said that workers had tested 26 samples of soil from the new site of a new car park at the hospital and four had tested positive.

The site is a brown field site on the University Hospital Galway campus and the tests being undertaken by the contractor were routine brown field site tests.

A HSE statement this afternoon said:

“The report did not include information on the concentration of the asbestos which is currently being defined by a specialist laboratory. These results shall inform the appropriate procedures for the safe management of the asbestos containing materials.

“In defining the management plan the contractor will engage with all relevant parties including the Health and Safety Authority, Galway City Council etc.

Based on information provided by our consultants, there is no ongoing risk to patients/staff or the wider public. The contractor has ceased work in this area of the site until results from sampling of the materials are available and will inform the ongoing management of these materials.

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