A LORRY driver whose father died after asbestos exposure has told of his horror at finding an open skip full of the potentially deadly substance at a public tip in Poole.

David Hawes, who lost his father to cancer caused by asbestos 18 months ago, visited the dump in Nuffield Road, Poole.

He was stunned to see a large red skip marked "asbestos" filled almost to the top with unbagged waste, which he claims was spreading dust across a public area.

But Poole council has insisted it only accepts the least hazardous kind of asbestos and its procedures are sound.

Mr Hawes, 44, of Northern Ireland, was visiting his mother, who lives in Broadstone.

He said: "My father died of asbestos exposure. I know one breath of this stuff can be fatal.

"I couldn't believe it was not covered, and it was filled with old debris, with children sitting in cars nearby while their parents were dropping off garden waste.

"When the wind blew across it, dust particles were covering everybody."

Lynne Sqibb, founder of the Hampshire Asbestos Support and Awareness Group, which also covers Dorset, said: "When asbestos is broken down and crumbling or damaged in any way tiny fibres can be caught by the wind. Someone breathing those in could go on to develop mesothelioma, a form of cancer for which there is no cure."

She added: "As far as I'm concerned no asbestos is safe."

But despite these fears Borough of Poole, which runs the site, said it was satisfied with the arrangement - although the skip is not constantly manned.

Steve Chapple, waste services manager, said the centre was licensed by the Environment Agency and met all its requirements.

He said: "Trained staff are available at the site to assist members of the public with the disposal of asbestos waste. We also ask the public to notify site staff before unloading waste material."

He added: "The council is not required to provide a sealed container for asbestos waste. We feel the minimal health risks associated with disposal of cement bound asbestos in a managed open container are no greater than those associated with a contained skip.

"We advise residents transporting asbestos material to the site to double bag or wrap waste in heavy duty polythene to minimise any risk of contamination."

Cllr Don Collier, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, said safety measures were robust.

He added: "The only asbestos accepted at the site is cement bound asbestos, which is the least hazardous form."

The Health and Safety Executive is currently investigating Mr Hawes's complaint about the Nuffield site.

The body could prosecute if it finds the council has failed in its duty of care and people have been placed at serious risk.

  • Asbestos is defined as hazardous waste. The material was frequently used in buildings from the 1950s to the mid 1980s. It has now been banned, although it remains present in hundreds of public and private buildings.

If the tiny fibres are inhaled they can cause cancer and lung diseases which may not be diagnosed for up to 60 years after contamination.