Northshore Hospital Discharge Patients after Asbestos Discovery
Mandeville, LA – Approximately 65 patients were discharged from a Northshore hospital following the discovery of asbestos in the floor tiles.
Patients in Mandeville’s Fontainebleau Treatment Center and Alcohol Drug Unit, which is housed in the Southeast Louisiana State Hospital, were sent to out-patient services in their parishes. The employees were shifted to other facilities for the time being.
Air quality testing was conducted by the DEQ. A hospital spokeswoman said no health risk or exposure to patients or staff was found.
According to hospital officials, it may take at least one month to fix the issue. They said the patients were discharged out only as a caution.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Inhalation of asbestos fibers may cause terminal diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
