Asbestos Warning Sparks Fear at Stamford Police Department

January 29, 2015- Scores of Stamford, Conn., police officers have filed notices recently with the state Worker's Compensation Commission after new asbestos warning signs were posted at police headquarters.

The signs declare that the building contains asbestos fibers that could cause cancer, and in response, 51 officers so far have filed notices that they may claim compensation for illnesses caused by asbestos. Notices are kept on record until a claim is made, which in the case of asbestos-related illnesses could take decades.

City officials say the signs don’t mean that asbestos is in the air in the 59-year-old building, but that there is a danger if someone disturbs one of the 17 asbestos "hot spots" and asbestos particles are released. No work is currently permitted in those areas without approval.

The filings are being made about six weeks after the city was fined $2,720 for failing to protect workers from asbestos or screen them for exposure to it.

In January, the city is set to begin quarterly air testing and screening police officers for pulmonary functioning and basic health.

Read the full stamfordadvocate.com post here.

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