The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) began an asbestos removal project in May, five years after it was recommended by a professor at the University of West Indies. Professor Kahwa of the university’s Chemistry Department had reported in 2002 a “great concern” that asbestos at the former Hunts Bay “A” station plant was friable and could be blown by the wind around the power company’s property and the surrounding community. JPS decided at that time to only removed brittle asbestos from the plant. Later, the company decided to demolish the retired “A” station plant and received approval to remove other asbestos from the property. People exposed to asbestos can develop mesothelioma, a cancer of the membranes lining the lungs, chest and abdomen, and other diseases.
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