Asbestos found in sand closes Plymouth Mount Batten Beach
Tests detecting asbestos fibres in sand samples have led to the closure of Mount Batten Beach in Plymouth since summer.
Health risks and beach access
Plymouth City Council stated that inhaling these fibres could increase the risk of serious diseases like lung cancer. The beach has been fenced off while access remains restricted to two other areas on the peninsula.
Amount of material removed
More than 1.5 tonnes of material containing asbestos has been cleared from the shoreline and nearby sites since 2019. This waste includes both white and blue varieties of the toxic substance.
Source of contamination suspected
Residents and experts think coastal erosion is exposing buried material linked to the former RAF Mount Batten base. Construction waste from that location may be washing up with the tide at this popular holiday destination.
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