The Port Coquitlam Health Unit has been relocated to Port Moody while Fraser Health looks for a new PoCo site to provide children's immunizations, speech assessments and Best Beginnings, a health information program for new parents.
A spokesperson for Fraser Health said the PoCo site had to be shut down because of concerns about asbestos in insulation material that had been dislodged from between bricks and motor in the aging city-owned facility.
"We have been working with the city of Port Coquitlam and WorkSafe BC to ensure all the necessary steps are taken to deal with vermiculite that has been exposed in a wall in an area not accessed by the public at our Public Health Unit in Port Coquitlam," Tasleem Juma, senior public affairs consultant, said in a statement. "Vermiculite was a commonly used insulation product for buildings. In this case, it contains 1% of asbestos. Air quality testing was done and all precautions are being taken to ensure the health and safety of our staff and the public.
"As soon as we became aware of the potential exposure, all staff were removed from the site, and relocated to our nearby Newport [Village] office."
This isn't the first time that vermiculite has been dealt with, Juma said, but she said appropriate actions have been taken, WorkSafe BC has been consulted and people concerned about the issue can call their health care provider.
Juma said Fraser Health is working with the city to come up with an alternate location. Parents are urged to contact Newport Public Health at 604-949-7200 to continue with their programs and immunization.
