Tom Cruise put on alert after Scientology ship's asbestos scare

London, May 11: Tom Cruise and other Hollywood stars have been asked to get urgent medical checks after an asbestos scare on board a Church of Scientology cruise ship.

Freewinds, the 2 million dollars ship, was said to be "under seal" on the Caribbean island of Curacao after cancer-causing particles were found on the 40-year-old vessel.

According to reports, deadly blue asbestos dust was released during refurbishment of the ship, used by the church as a floating "education centre" and for VIP parties.

Besides Tom Cruise, 45, who is a senior Scientologist, other celebs known to have spent time on board include singer Lisa Marie Presley, Natural Born Killers actress Juliette Lewis, jazz great Chick Corea and JAG and Army Wives TV star Catherine Bell.

Experts warn that the guests could be at risk from the killer disease mesothelioma.

It can lay dormant for decades after exposure to blue asbestos, before causing cancer of the peritoneum - the lining of the lung.

"Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to asbestos should consult a doctor immediately," The Daily Star quoted a medic, as saying.


Copyright Asian News International