Powys County Council has revealed that 80 schools across the Powys area have been listed to have asbestos-containing material present on their premises.
This information was made available following a Freedom of Information request made to Powys County Council by anti-asbestos campaigner Lucie Stephens, who has created a petition calling on the government to remove all traces of asbestos from schools by 2028.
The petition also stipulates that all parents and school faculty should be informed there are asbestos-containing materials on the premises of their school without the need for a Freedom of Information request.
Asbestos can remain undiscovered for years
Ms Stephens’ petition was created after her mother sadly passed away in June 2016. Sue Stephens was a teacher in Devon who developed mesothelioma, a form of cancer that has a very poor survival rate and is usually caused by exposure to asbestos fibres.
So far, the petition has accrued a total of 10,600 signatures. Ms Stephens commented: “Long term we need to get asbestos out of schools, two million asbestos fibres can fit on a pin head. The best way is to get rid of the risk by 2028.
“In the meantime, we need an annual report from schools for staff and teachers, telling them where the asbestos is in the school and what the risk is. It is a total black hole. People just don’t know it is there.”
Survey your property to prevent future ailments
Many people work and live in properties completely unaware that asbestos is present.
The liberal use of asbestos in the UK before 1999 – when it was banned for use within construction – means that it is still being discovered in schools, council buildings and other places of work.
However, if it is known that asbestos is contained in a given property, swift action can be taken to ensure its safe removal and prevent any harmful fibres from breaking away and potentially being inhaled.
Here at Salvum, we can provide expert asbestos surveying to identify any and all asbestos-containing materials in your property and provide informed advice on the next steps to take.
Contact the Salvum team today to learn more about our acclaimed asbestos surveying services.
