It is feared that several students and staff of a metropolitan school in Adelaide have been exposed to asbestos. In 2009, the school, which remains unnamed, underwent reconstruction. The installation of interactive white boards may have possibly exposed forty seven students and four staff members to dangerous asbestos fibres.
Jennifer Rankine, South Australian Education minister, has stated that reconstruction of the school took place in two classrooms that contained low-grade types of asbestos. Although these events took place in 2009, the risk associated with the reconstruct was brought to the attention of the principal recently.
Once the school was made aware of the issue, they identified the students present at the time of the reconstruction by referring to the attendance list. The school’s governing council has stated that they will be informing these students today.
David Smith of the Australian Education Union fears that there may be more students who were affected by the asbestos. Asbestos is a very fine particle that can be carried from one classroom to the next by sticking onto the students’ clothing.
Once asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos related diseases. In South Australia, mesothelioma compensation claims have been brought. Further, South Australia has special legislation to assist those suffering asbestosis in South Australia and mesothelioma in South Australia to bring such claims.
Asbestos claims in South Australia, including mesothelioma claims in South Australia, and also asbestosis claims in South Australia, benefit from such legislation.
