It is possible that a certain amount had already settled before the determinations of particle concentration. As the district had been closed off for inhabitants very quickly it seems likely that health risks have remained limited.
Processed asbestos is not damaging in itself, explains staff member Luijckx from the UT's Occupational Health and Safety Service. 'In older houses, of which many were present in the disaster area, it can be found in among other things, floor coverings, roofs and ovens. When asbestos splinters, small fibres can be released. These particles cannot be seen with the naked eye, and can remain in the lungs after breathing in. The fibres have minuscule barbs, which makes it possible for them to be encapsulated in the lung alveoli. Because of the long latent period an illness like asbestosis can manifest itself dozens of years after exposure. This makes diagnosis difficult', according to Luijckx.
According to the RIVM only the immediate disaster area was exposed to asbestos for a short time. The debris from that area is therefore collected separately. To keep the rest wet dispersion of the asbestos particles can be prevented and made harmless. Luijckx: 'The fire's enormous heat caused an up-current which will have taken the particles high up into the air. Because of their small size they will not have travelled more than a few hundred metres.' Luijckx thinks it is improbable that asbestos will have landed as far away as Hengelo and Delden.
