Asbestos has been found in several military buildings constructed by the British and now being used by the Armed Forces of Malta, The Times has learnt.

However, no AFM personnel were exposed to the material, an army spokesman said.

Cancer-causing asbestos dust was found in various parts which had already been sealed off by the British forces, eliminating any risk to Maltese soldiers. Asbestos material in solid form was found in areas accessible to staff and these areas were sealed off as soon as the army was alerted to its presence, the spokesman said.

A report was drawn up identifying all the locations that needed to have the asbestos removed and listing "any potential or actual risks" to army staff.

The spokesman insisted that no one had been exposed to any risk.

The army has now issued a call for tenders to remove the asbestos and has allocated a "substantial sum" for the job.

The mineral fibre was commonly used in building construction materials, typically for insulation purposes and as a fire-retardant. When damaged or disturbed, it can produce dust that, if inhaled, accumulates in the body and can cause cancer of the lungs, chest or abdominal linings.

The dust can also lead to asbestosis, an irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal. Symptoms of such diseases do not emerge until many years after exposure.

The asbestos dust was discovered a year ago during regular maintenance checks and upgrades of a number of army barracks, such as in Luqa and Safi, which have been occupied by the AFM for a number of years.

"No army personnel were exposed to asbestos dust because the only potential and suspect risk areas where dust could be present had already been previously sealed and cordoned off by the British forces," the spokesman said. "In other accessible areas, the asbestos was in solid form, such as in the old boiler ducting-pipes of the old former British Services' premises."