Friday, 13 August 2010 14:00

Most dangerous asbestos product yet found in schools

The government discovered the extensive use of an extremely dangerous asbestos product in schools yet took two years to even inspect schools for its presence and even then failed to communicate the seriousness of the danger to schools or to parents. 

The product known as “asbestolux” or low density board (LDB) is almost pure asbestos lightly compressed into a board.  Unlike fibro sheets It is not contained in any cement matrix and it contains up to ten times the amount of asbestos as normal asbestos building sheets. 

Potentially lethal asbestos can be released into the air with minor trauma of any sort to the product. 

The Government received a high level report on asbestolux in 2007 yet did not issue any occupational health and safety advice until 2009.  It was only the end of 2009 the Government began inspecting schools.  Of 285 schools inspected around 115 had asbestolux present that is ⅓ of all the schools inspected and to date most of Queensland’s 1400 schools are yet to be examined. 

This potent new danger would not have come to public notice nor would the government been forced to ensure it is dealt with safely without the matter being raised at an Estimates Committee and in the media by myself for the LNP. 

There is much that needs to be done if we are to keep children safe from this highly toxic product. 

Firstly all the schools containing the product must be notified so that if any work is done or any accidental damage occurs the school is aware of the much higher danger posed by this product. 

Secondly I have called on the government to place a warning sign of each panel of asbestolux that is present in schools so that it is immediately obvious to building occupants if any damage has occurred. 

Thirdly there is no place for pure un-bonded friable asbestos in schools and some sort of program to remove this product needs to be instigated.  I acknowledge that it is a challenge that will take time.

 To read the Occupational Health and Safety advice on this product click here.