Just last month The Canberra Times revealed part of the roof of the Ainslie shopping centre contained the "Mr Fluffy" loose-fill asbestos used in the 1970s by Dirk ''Mr Fluffy'' Jansen.

Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe ordered prohibition notices on Tuesday afternoon on two businesses operating above Edgars Inn after an inspection revealed water was leaking into the ceiling.

The public health risk from Mr Fluffy asbestos is considerable because this form is easily crumbled and reduced to powder and the microscopic particles can become airborne when disturbed. Inhalation of even a minute amount of amosite asbestos can cause mesothelioma and other cancers.

The two businesses are believed to be a massage centre and an acupuncture practice located on the first floor.

Mr McCabe said WorkSafe inspectors had visited the site this week "following a complaint from a local resident". It is believed recent heavy rain caused damage to the roof tiles and the inspectors noticed water damage to the ceiling.

Mr McCabe said: "If the cause of the water damage is not determined and fixed, there is the potential for damage to the ceiling which could allow asbestos fibres to enter the first-floor premises."

WorkSafe had a licensed asbestos inspector monitoring the air at the shops this week. Mr McCabe said the tests had come in below normal background levels.

"Other businesses at the Ainslie shops are safe to operate and there is no indication of risk to the general public," he said.

A co-owner of the building since 1992, Jeffrey Darwin, discovered his section of the building contained the Mr Fluffy asbestos when he tried to have it renovated. He could not be contacted on Tuesday.

The ACT Government confirmed last month that it would not contribute to the removal of the asbestos because the building was considered a commercial property.

Massage for Health is operating as normal and is not affected by the notice.