Currently the asbestos material present at the Suva Market does not pose any threat to the vendors and the public.

In light of asbestos being present on the roof of the Suva Market with plans to have it removed in mid-November, the Occupational Health and Safety Department confirmed it poses no threat because the asbestos roofing is still solid and intact.

OHS officer Vishal Nand said the roofing material will only pose a danger if they are disturbed, through it being broken or water blasted, adding this is not the case as the asbestos roofing is not accessible to anybody because of the height.

Nand said market vendors have been through awareness of the dangers of asbestos adding that there are procedures in place by the market administration to stop people from damaging the asbestos material.

Suva Lord Mayor Ratu Peni Volavola said the council will be carrying out the removal of asbestos only during the night for four weeks in mid-November when the market will be free of people.

Asbestos is an insulative, fire and heat resistant material commonly used in roofing.

When its fibers get into the air and are inhaled it may cause health problems, one of which is cancer.