Parents outraged over asbestos deception
In Bedfordshire, England, parents of students who attend the Mark Rutherford Upper School are outraged that the school failed to inform them when asbestos was uncovered at the school. In fact, according to some parents, several teachers at the school lied about the asbestos that was uncovered when questioned.
According to one official, parents were not been informed because it was believed that the asbestos would not pose a threat to student safety. However, even a small amount of asbestos, when inhaled or ingested, may lead to cancers like mesothelioma.
One anonymous parent told reporters, “It’s so dangerous and if it is in the pipe lagging, which we have been told it is, it will probably be everywhere.”
His wife added: “We just keep getting told different stories by the children. Apparently one child was told she could get cancer if she breathed the asbestos in. I can’t believe the parents haven’t been told anything. There are toxic and hazardous signs up around it but the teachers seem to be oblivious to asbestos and the children could be exposed…Then one teacher said they wouldn’t be removing the asbestos until…Christmas.”
A spokesman for Bedford Borough Council said: “During building works at Mark Rutherford School over the half term break asbestos was found to be present in part of the building. Safety checks confirmed that this was not causing a hazard to those using the building and an air assurance test showed that asbestos was not present in the air. However as a further precaution the area was, and will remain, sealed until removal work takes place.”
