ASBESTOS SHOCKER FOR SCHOOLS
More than 50 buildings contaminated
More than fifty school buildings in Stirling and Clackmannanshire have asbestos.
Research has found that more than 1600 nurseries, primary and secondary schools in Scotland contain asbestos – which was used as insulation in the mid-20th century.
The substance has been found
to cause mesothelioma – a lung cancer – which appears up to 50 years after exposure.
A total of 26 primary school buildings in Stirling have been found to contain traces of the substance – including Braehead, Dunblane and Riverside.
In Clackmannanshire, 27 buildings contained asbestos: including Alva Primary and Ladywell Nursery in Tullibody.
Stirling and Clacks Council have insisted that all buildings are safe and that no risk is posed to children or staff.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “Stirling Council has a full management process and re-inspection regime in line with the Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012 for all our operational properties across the Stirling estate including all schools.”
A Clacks spokeswoman said: “The council holds an asbestos register for all council buildings. Any asbestos identified and recorded as still present has been enclosed or has been programmed for a phased removal.
“All known areas are deemed safe but still remain on the register to ensure that contractors carrying out any refurbishment or maintenance work are aware of the presence of an asbestos type board, which may require further sampling.
“Any planned building maintenance or refurbishment work which requires a full and invasive asbestos survey is undertaken by a fully certified asbestos contractor. Removal of asbestos is carried out under controlled conditions by a fully certified asbestos removal contractor.”
The Scottish Government said: “More pupils in Scotland are being taught in new or refurbished schools and we’re making significant investments to modernise our school buildings. Under our £1.8billion Schools for the Future programme, 112 schools will be constructed or refurbished by 2020.”