Asbestos letters raise concerns

Tenants have expressed concern after a housing association said there is asbestos in the houses they control.

The Penwith Housing Association said nearly 3,000 of its 4,000 homes in Cornwall contain the material in ceilings or floors.

The association has insisted the material in a solid condition is safe and there is no need for panic.

But some tenants living in West Cornwall said the news is upsetting and they are still concerned.

Reduced risk

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC news she has been confused by the advice.

"Why are they telling me to advise people who come to visit me that there's asbestos in here if there's no problem", she said.

"Either there is or there isn't."

But Martin Craven, from the housing association, said the letters were sent out to tenants as a precaution.

He said: "What we're trying to do here is reduce the risk of humans being exposed to asbestos fibres.

"By undertaking the survey and informing our customers of the whereabouts of these particular products, we can then take further steps and hope the customers can take actions as well."

Fibre asbestos has been commonly used in construction work for about 50 years.

Some countries banned the use of asbestos in the 1960s after it was discovered it was a toxic substance and a known carcinogen.