<hygienici>Protection against asbestos during the demolition of Telecom in Prague is sufficient</hygienici>

Prague - According to inspections by health inspectors, the protection against the spread of health-hazardous asbestos during the demolition of former Telecom buildings in Prague's Žižkov is currently sufficient. Measures and concentrations of asbestos in the air are checked through random inspections. The results of the latest inspection, which took place on February 6, were published today by the Prague hygiene station in a press release. The Central Telegraph Building complex (ÚTB) is located close to the Žižkov Freight Station and the Olšany Cemeteries. Asbestos removal began there at the end of January this year and, according to previous information from the developer, is expected to last until October. Health inspectors will continue their inspections.

Prague health inspectors mainly checked compliance with technological procedures used to limit people's exposure to asbestos dust from materials on the building. They also examined measures to protect people working with asbestos as well as other workers nearby. At the same time, they measured the concentrations of inhalable asbestos and mineral fibers in the air around the site. The company carrying out the removal of asbestos materials was not informed of the inspection in advance.

According to Prague health inspectors, the results of the collected samples are satisfactory. "Therefore, it can be stated that the technical and technological equipment, including pre-filters on the filtration and extraction units, is sufficiently effective. Regular filter replacement is ensured, including the maintenance of proper documentation, which was submitted during the inspection," said the inspectors.

In Olšanská Street, at the site of the former Telecom complex, which includes a 96-meter tall telecommunication tower, developer Central Group is preparing to build apartments. Asbestos is present, among other places, in the cladding of columns and beams, interior partitions, and roofing materials. It is estimated that there are about 3,350 tons of this material. In the past, asbestos was used in construction due to its heat resistance, but it has since been proven to be a carcinogenic substance. All demolition of the ÚTB will last until about October 2024, partly due to the removal of asbestos.

At the site of the ÚTB, a complex with apartments, shops, and service establishments is to be created. According to the developer, the first phase could be completed in 2027. The original intention was to construct towers up to one hundred meters high designed by the architectural studio of Eva Jiřičná and Petr Vágner. The company announced in the summer of the year before last that it would revise the project based on the findings of a UNESCO observation mission from 2019, which requested that new buildings in the area should not exceed the surrounding approximately fifty-meter high buildings. The Prague Institute for Planning and Development (IPR) subsequently stated that the revision of the project is a result of the city's change of stance.