GETTY The Grenfell Tower block contained potentially deadly asbestos inside all the flats.

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Asbestos was found in artex in ceilings of the individual flats, and in panels inside airing cupboards. The toxic substance can cause fatal lung disease asbestosis if inhaled, and there are fears the substance fell over hundreds of homes in low-rise flats blocks east of the now gutted tower. The Grenfell Action Group website, which had warned about fire safety concerns before the inferno, has highlighted the risk. A post said: "These same forgotten households are also subject to other hidden dangers that no-one, not a single official or media reporter – has made any public reference to asbestos. "There was lots of this in Grenfell Tower, notably in the artex coated ceilings of every apartment, and there were small solid asbestos panels in all apartments too. " The report said residents had previously been assured that it was safe if not disturbed.

Inside Grenfell Tower: Latest shocking pictures Mon, June 19, 2017 The 24-storey tower in Latimer Road, North Kensington, has been destroyed after a fire which started on the second floor rapidly spread to the top of the 120-flat block Play slideshow PA 1 of 34 A view inside the Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building

"We know that bound asbestos, contained in building materials such as plaster or fibre board, was present in Grenfell Tower in ceilings and header panels inside airing cupboards. Dr Deborah Turbitt of Public Health England

The report added: "These assurances were offered as justification for a policy of avoiding the substantial cost and disruption of removing the asbestos. "These older coatings that contain asbestos, pose particularly serious health hazards. Inhaling microscopic asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis. "The Grenfell Tower inferno has surely released large amounts of asbestos laden smoke, dust and ash into the air of the entire surrounding area and who knows what other toxic substances, lead and other metals etc, may have been reduced to ash and carried by the wind and smoke all over the neighbourhood. "So why has no-one in authority made any public statement about this risk to public health, or begun the process of measuring the concentration of these deadly toxins in the air and the local environment?"

The risk posed by asbestos in the building was also debated on Reddit, under a discussion headed: "Grenfell Tower fire: Why did nobody mentioned asbestos? Is it proven not to be used in the building?" One user posted: "I've been a member of a voluntary fire fighter unit - a small village with a lot of old houses. "We have compiled a map, in which houses asbestos had been used, in case of fire we would have to take special measurements regarding the safety of our firefighters. "We had (to make) special plans for containing the water used while fighting the fire. "This tower was built in 1974, a time where asbestos was still used almost everywhere. I can't image that is was completly removed in between or while doing the refurbishment. "If there was still an amount af asbestos, you will find a large area contaminated with it now. Does someone have some insight into this?"

However, Public Health England (PHE) has now issued a statement on the risks. Dr Deborah Turbitt, health protection director for PHE in London, said: "We know that bound asbestos, contained in building materials such as plaster or fibre board, was present in Grenfell Tower in ceilings and header panels inside airing cupboards. "It is possible that very small amounts of asbestos fibres will have been dispersed within the smoke plume but would have formed only a small fraction of the smoke and particles released in the fire; all smoke is toxic and any asbestos would present a minimal additional risk to health. "Asbestos related diseases are typically associated with a long term workplace exposure to high levels of airborne asbestos fibres. "Safety officers working with teams currently on the site have tested the air within Grenfell Tower for dust and asbestos and have not detected any levels of concern.

London fire: Grenfell aftermath latest images Thu, June 15, 2017 At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and dozens missing, after the 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road was engulfed in flames in the early hours of June 14. The number of fatalities are expected to rise Play slideshow BBC 1 of 52 Inside Grenfell Tower