The February 2011 earthquake in New Zealand saw immediate rescue attempts in the hopes of saving survivors. In Christchurch, rescuers were working 24 hours a day to find survivors in the rubble of the Central Business District (CBD). This was extremely dangerous work, as the threat of aftershocks loomed and buildings could collapse at any minute. In addition to the more immediate dangers, rescue workers also had to worry about the asbestos found in the insulation of these buildings.
Asbestos is a highly toxic mineral that is commonly found in insulation and building materials that were manufactured prior to the 1980’s. It was a popular building material due to its high durability and heat resistance. However, its carcinogenic properties it has caused asbestos to be banned from use in most developed countries. Asbestos is known to cause such fatal illnesses as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the protective lining of the lungs, heart, chest and abdomen.
Asbestos is relatively safe if undisturbed, but the destruction of the earthquake has caused asbestos to be released into the air. If they are not supplied with the proper safety equipment, New Zealand’s rescue workers could end up like 9/11 first responders. Within just a couple of decades they could face a plethora of respiratory disorders, including asbestos cancer.
Emergency work Jim Stuart-Black states that it is “A very risky operation…” but that “… at the end of the day we have to satisfy ourselves that we have looked in every possible place for survivors.”