City for the image. Asbestos for the people. Degewo.
The state-owned Degewo has knowingly exposed tenants to the asbestos danger for decades – through cover-ups, misinformation, and even approvals for renovations in contaminated apartments. Responsibility is consistently shifted onto the shoulders of the tenants.
A Degewo asbestos flat is nothing more than a toxic waste dump.
Degewo "informs" tenants
Degewo is Berlin's second largest housing company with a total of 75,000 flats. It is owned by the state of Berlin. According to its own information 17,000 flats suspected of containing asbestos.
However, as a resident of a flat contaminated with asbestos, you only become aware of the asbestos problem by chance. Otherwise, there is absolutely nothing to indicate an asbestos hazard. No signs in the apartment blocks. No notice in the tenancy agreement. No notice on the homepage. Degewo in Berlin sends according to its own information an information letter only in 2013 on the subject of asbestos. However, only very few people received this extremely important information sheet in their letterbox.
Those who really want to inform, inform consistently. By registered mail, by Facebook, by signs, in person. One info sheet every 20 years = no info.
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What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which, due to its nature, was mainly used in the construction industry. However, due to its carcinogenic properties, the use of asbestos has been banned nationwide since 1993.
20 percent of all cancer cases and 80 percent of all occupational illnesses are attributed to this highly toxic fibre. To date, no threshold value has been determined below which asbestos would be harmless.
Problem zone Floorflex panels
Floorflex panels and black adhesives contain asbestos in most cases. As long as no fibres are released, there is no immediate danger. However, broken boards can release fibres and are therefore dangerous for residents.
Worst-case scenario: Tenants want to replace this ageing, ugly floor covering themselves. Many have already done so and risked their health in the process.
ex Degewo Managing Director
Frank Bielka
Can someone who deliberately exposes thousands of people to incalculable danger for decades be labelled a danger?
As State Secretary played Frank Bielka (SPD) downplayed the asbestos hazard. In the Senate in 2000, he justified the Concealing the asbestos problem and saw absolutely no need to inform tenants about possible dangers.
As Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Degewo, he agreed to a salary increase of 48 %, from which he himself would later benefit as Degewo CEO.
Klaus Wowereit (SPD) ensured that Bielka's 'shameless intention of self-enrichment' loses his pension entitlements as a "civil servant". Degewo stepped in to cover the lost claims. Tragic irony that those who were practically harmed by his actions contributed to this.
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The SPD voted against the Greens' motion in 2013 "Assessing the current risk of asbestos in residential buildings and making it transparent", which called for asbestos-contaminated residential buildings to be labelled.
Why should residential buildings with asbestos-containing building materials be labelled?
The in a Flat available Asbestos building materials provide residents with a Potentially dangerous situation are. No government authority (much less the landlord) checks whether or not materials containing asbestos are still intact in the private environment. Nobody can rule out the possibility of renovation work being carried out without the landlord's knowledge. Even if the landlord is informed, there is no guarantee that he will fulfil his duty to inform (see case study Graunstr. 7).
Every semi-toxic product in CLP hazard class 2 that is likely to contain carcinogenic substances must be labelled (e.g. bathtub support foam). Such products are only sold by specially trained personnel. Buyers are made aware of the dangers and correct handling. Even a UHU adhesive does not leave a shop counter without appropriate labelling.
Highly toxic Asbestos fibres on the other hand, are included in the CLP hazard class 1A of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances classified. The IARC classifies asbestos and plutonium in the same category (class 1, carcinogenic). One Labelling of the affected Residential buildings to protect the residents is therefore necessary.
Every semi-toxic product in CLP hazard class 2 that is likely to contain carcinogenic substances must be labelled (e.g. bathtub support foam). Such products are only sold by specially trained personnel. Buyers are made aware of the dangers and correct handling. Even a UHU adhesive does not leave a shop counter without appropriate labelling.
Highly toxic Asbestos fibres on the other hand, are included in the CLP hazard class 1A of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances classified. The IARC classifies asbestos and plutonium in the same category (class 1, carcinogenic). One Labelling of the affected Residential buildings to protect the residents is therefore necessary.
Relevant articles:
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