A housing developer has reassured Thamesmead residents that a chemical being used on apartment blocks is "not harmful" after an online post sparked fears of possible health risks.

A spokeswoman for Durkan, the company currently employed to undertake redevelopment works on the tower blocks in Kale Road, told News Shopper that chemicals are being used as part of concrete repairs but are being used in a heavily diluted form and pose no threat to residents living in these blocks.

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A post which appeared in the Thamesmead All Stages SE28 Facebook group yesterday showed a photo of a plastic container of a chemical agent which was found in Kale Road with a number of warnings appearing on the front noting the substance is corrosive and a potential carcinogen.

It was claimed this chemical was being used on the outside walls of Jacob House and Marsham House as part of ongoing redevelopment works.

The pictured substance is described on the product's website as a "corrosion inhibitor" and is designed for protecting concrete from erosion.

However, when asked about the use of the pictured chemical, a spokeswoman for Durkan said: "In relation to the works being carried out on Kale Road, Durkan are working within government and local authority guidelines and the spray being generated is water only.

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"Chemicals are being used as part of the concrete repair work but these are not harmful and are in a highly diluted form.

"Use of the chemicals was fully risk-assessed beforehand.

"We have written to all residents today (Thursday) to reassure them about the work being carried out."