Asbestos found in Penrith, Blue Mountains public schools
More than 20 public schools in the Penrith and Blue Mountains council areas are riddled with potentially deadly asbestos.
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More than 20 public schools in the Penrith and Blue Mountains council areas are riddled with potentially deadly asbestos according to an Education Department register.
The department’s schools asbestos register lists 18 schools in the Penrith Local Government Area and three in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area as containing asbestos materials in classrooms, offices and toilet blocks.
According to the register, all 21 schools either contain, or are presumed to contain, the most dangerous form of asbestos, known as ‘friable asbestos’, which means the asbestos is decaying and can easily break down.
Schools listed on the register include Penrith Public School, Kingswood High School and Springwood High School — all built during the heart of the asbestos building boom between the 1940s and late 1980s.
The NSW Department of Education released a statement saying all asbestos concerns are being taken seriously and immediate action was taken where necessary.
“At any time friable asbestos is suspected, the department acts immediately to secure and remediate,” the statement read.
“This includes the removal of students from the area of concern, the engagement of an independent hygienist, air monitoring and the commissioning of licensed contractors to remove the asbestos in accordance with the Safe Work NSW guidelines.
“More than $10 million has been invested on asbestos remediation in more than 120 public schools in 2018/19 and 2019/20.”
While most asbestos materials do not pose any immediate threat to health, if asbestos is disturbed or damaged, exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to cancer.
Shadow Minister for Education, Londonderry state Labor MP Prue Car, said the State Government needs to be more open with the community when it comes to potential health risks such as asbestos.
“The NSW Liberal Government won’t tell school communities in Penrith what they’re going to do to get rid of this asbestos, and parents are rightly concerned,” Ms Car said.
“Stuart Ayres should step in and demand his Liberal Government remove all friable and damaged asbestos in NSW schools immediately.
“The NSW Liberal Government needs to tell our community when it will act on damaged and dangerous asbestos in our region’s classrooms, school toilets and facilities.”
ASBESTOS IN THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS
Cambridge Park Public School
Cambridge Park High School
Emu Heights Public School
Jamisontown Public School
Kemps Creek Public School
Kingswood High School
Kingswood Park Public School
Llandilo Public School
Leonay Public School
Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
Oxley Park Public School
Penrith Public School
Penrith South Public School
St Clair Public School
St Marys Public School
York Public School
Wallacia Public School
Springwood High School
Winmalee High School
Winmalee Public School
IN OTHER NEWS
