COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Asbestos can be found lurking in more than half of Coventry’s schools, figures show.

Some 50 of the 96 council-run schools in the city contain the material which can be dangerous if disturbed.

Out of the 80 primary schools in the city, 44 were shown to contain asbestos which has been linked to causing diseases such as terminal mesothelioma and often fatal lung cancer.

Six of the city’s eight special schools – caring for youngsters with physical or learning disabilities – were also found to contain the material.

The data was revealed following a Freedom of Information request by the Telegraph to the council.

Health and safety chiefs say the presence of asbestos alone should not cause concern – as long as it is managed properly

Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Britain from the 1950s to the 1990s and is linked to around 4,500 deaths a year. Serious, often fatal diseases, can be caused when asbestos fibres are released from materials, becoming airborne and get inhaled.

Asbestos has an average 30 to 40-years latency period between exposure to asbestos fibres and the onset of disease.

The substance is only likely to become dangerous if fibres are released from the material when it is disturbed, damaged or degrades over time.

Management of asbestos is the responsibility of head teachers at individual schools.

It is each school’s duty to know where it is, what condition it is in and manage the risks from asbestos to employees and others.

They must also ensure that anyone who is likely to work on, or disturb, asbestos is provided with information about its location and condition.

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said there were no plans to pro-actively remove the substance from schools in the city.

He said: “Each school has an asbestos assessment so it can identify where it exists and ensure it is not disturbed to maintain the safety of pupils and staff.

“If any refurbishment or extension work takes place that disturbs existing asbestos then the asbestos would be removed safely at the time of the building work.”

The Health and Safety Executive explained many schools built before the year 2000 contain some form of asbestos.

It is commonly found in lagging, thermal insulation, fire protection, partitioning and ducts, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, cement roofing and guttering and textured coatings.

Guidance from HSE said: “A large number of schools and other public buildings contain asbestos – often in the fabric of the building.

“Its presence alone should not cause concern provided it is managed properly.

“There are strict legal duties on schools to manage asbestos containing materials.

“Where HSE has undertaken inspections of schools it has found that most have good standards for managing asbestos in their buildings.”

Schools in city identified as containing asbestos – January 2014

Allesley Primary

Allesley Hall

Alice Stevens Secondary School

All Saints’ Church of England

Baginton Fields Secondary School

Cannon Park

Clifford Bridge

Corley Centre

Earlsdon

Eastern Green Junior

Edgewick Community

Ernesford Grange Primary

Finham Primary

Gosford Park

Grange Farm

Hearsall Community

Hollyfast

John Gulson

John Shelton Community

Joseph Cash

Keresley Grange

Limbrick Wood

Little Heath

Longford Park

Manor Park

Mount Nod

Parkgate

Park Hill

Pearl Hyde

Potters Green

Ravensdale

Richard Lee

Sherbourne Fields Primary & Secondary School

St. Christopher

Sir Frank Whittle

Southfields

Sowe Valley

Spon Gate

St. Andrew’s Church of England Infant

Stivichall

Stoke Primary

Stoke Heath

Templars

Tiverton Primary School

Walsgrave Church of England

Whitley Abbey Primary

Whitmore Park

Whoberley Hall

Woodfield

Wyken Croft