Asbestos has been detected in the south building of 91原创 Memorial Hospital.

鈥淎sbestos has been discovered in the ceiling of that building only. There has been air quality testing done and there is no risk to staff and visitors,鈥� said Fraser Health spokesperson, Nafisa Abdulla.

Asbestos was a common building material used until the early 1990s, when it was confirmed that it is carcinogenic and the fibres can get trapped in the lungs,

As long as asbestos is not disturbed, it doesn鈥檛 pose a health threat.

LMH was built in the 1950s, so asbestos would be in parts of the hospital. Many hospitals have asbestos, said Abdulla.

鈥淲e have an asbestos management program. That鈥檚 how the asbestos was found at 91原创,鈥� she said.

There is a long-term plan in place to deal with asbestos, she added.

Now that the asbestos has been discovered, Fraser Health is looking to hire the right contractor to contain and remove the asbestos. There is no time line to when that work will begin, she said.