09.57 am, Sunday March 21 2010

Qld kids potentially exposed to asbestos

17:29 AEST Sat Nov 21 2009
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Almost 80,000 confirmed or presumed asbestos sites at Queensland state schools have been listed on a government online register made available on Saturday.

The Courier-Mail reports that schools in the state's south coast region - which includes the Gold Coast and Logan - have the highest number of presumed or confirmed cases with 21,230 sites.

Greater Brisbane is the next with 18,747, followed by the Sunshine Coast on 7,448.

Most cases involve lino flooring containing asbestos.

Of the 78,204 confirmed or presumed asbestos sites, more than 11,000 have slight to major damage and more than 100 are in an "unstable" state.

Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said online registers containing information about each school in Queensland went live on Saturday.

"This is the first time in Queensland this level of detailed information has been made available to parents online," he said.

"We believe this is information they deserve to have.

"These registers have always been publicly available at each school for parents to view but we're making this information available at the click of a button.

"We have rigorous processes in place to manage asbestos in our schools and these registers will help inform parents, staff and the public about what's being done in their local area."

Mr Wilson said the register would be updated quarterly.

He said the Bligh government had spent more than $100 million to replace 919 asbestos roofs and 155 asbestos-containing vinyl floors in Queensland state schools.

"Like all asbestos products it is only dangerous when damaged and like all asbestos in poor condition, it will be programmed for removal," Mr Wilson said.

"Asbestos material classified as being in poor condition is made safe in accordance with industry standards and independently verified safe practices.

"Any asbestos removal work is carried out at times when staff and students are not present, such as weekends and school holidays."

Asbestos in landfill has sparked closures of playgrounds and school buildings on the Gold and Sunshine coasts in the past six weeks.

 
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