Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 2:53pm

Deadly dust found

By Ewan McInnes

DEADLY asbestos could be lingering in the homes of unsuspecting residents, it has been warned.

Now shocked Andrea Reid, who has just been told her ceilings and walls are riddled with the killer substance, wants to warn homeowners and tenants.

Last year, Andrea's home of 22-years in Glen Roy Drive, Neilston, was damaged by flooding and she was forced to move out altogether when the damage assessors told of the asbestos in her property.

The 43-year-old has been living in hotels as her house is inhabitable and she has encouraged her neighbours to get their homes checked out.

She said: "The whole estate will be the same as the buildings are all the same and probably built by the same company.

"My whole life has been wrecked and it has been so stressful.

"I hope people will read about this and get their homes looked at. Even though it is a major hassle getting the asbestos removed, it is better than risking your life.

"The rate of cancer is sky high in Neilston and I don't know if I have maybe come across the answer for that."

Andrea and her seven show dogs, who are being cared for at kennels, will be unable to move back into their home, pictured right, for another month.

And she has told the Barrhead News of the problems this has caused.

She said: "This has been a complete nightmare.

"It is the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my whole life.

"I have lost all my possessions and my house has been wrecked.

"I feel as if I have lost my home as I have been out of it since November and I don't know when I will get back in.

"My insurance company is paying for me to stay in hotels but I don't drive, so communicating to Neilston has been a major hassle.

"They put humidifiers in my house that take all the moisture out the air in the house.

"This affected me badly and I had to spend a night in hospital because I was dehydrated and had chest pains."

A spokesman for Andrea's insurers, MMA, said: "Before we can do the work we have to let the dampness fully dry before the damage can be assessed.

"We won't be able to get the equipment in to do that until March 12.

"We are dealing with the claim as quickly as we can but we do appreciate it is not great for our customer."

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said any residents in Barrhead and Neilston who fear asbestos is in their home can contact their Customer First helpline on 0141 577 3001.

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