Asbestos fibres found in school kitchen

12:15pm Friday 14th December 2007

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A SCHOOL was closed after a routine inspection found asbestos fibres in the air.

The Marjorie Mclure Scool in Hawkwood Lane, Chislehurst, was closed after asbestos fibres were found in the school kitchen.

The special needs school will be closed for the rest of the week while contractors cleanse the area.

Richard Lees helps his brother Michael Lees run a campaign to educate people about the dangers of asbestos exposure in schools.

Micheal Lees has devoted his life to the issue after his wife - a nursery school teacher - died from an asbestos related disease.

Richard Lees said: "I would be concerned that if one asbestos tile in the kitchen area could cause tht sort of damage, one might ask why the tiles weren't removed some time ago."

He added: "If there's asbestos in the kitchen there's likely to be asbestos all around the school.

"It would be interesting to see if they have done air tests around the school - or if they have relied on a visual test."

A spokesman for Bromley Council said: "A routine inspection showed that there was some damage to an asbestos tile in the kitchen area and an air test was taken.

"That showed there were fibres in the air and that has prompted a cleaning of the environment.

"The school won't reopen for the rest of the week while that is done.

"The cleansing is being done by a qualified contractor subject to HSE recommendations."

He added: "The two areas adjacent to the kitchen have had air tests - one is an outside area, the other is next to the kitchen.

"Routine visual tests are carried out once a year around the school.

"We can't at this stage establish when the tile was damaged."

It is not clear whether the school will be open next week.

The headteacher of Marjorie McClure School, Denise James-Mason, did not want to comment about the situation.

• Does your child go to the school? Do you have any information about the situation? Call the newsroom on 01689 8857285 or add your comments below.

For more information about the dangers of asbestos exposure in schools and how to manage the risk visit asbestosexposureschools.co.uk