Nearly Half the Borough's Schools Contain Harmful Materials
Seven buildings found to have most harmful type of asbestos
Brackenbury Primary School. Picture: Google Streetview
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has revealed a number of its schools contain a potentially fatal type of asbestos.
More than half a dozen schools run by the borough contain a harmful type of asbestos – while 30 out of its 62 schools contain some form of the hazardous material.
The council revealed seven of its schools contain crocidolite asbestos – the most harmful type – in response to a Freedom of Information request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A council spokesperson said, “We call on the government to provide more funding for local councils to replace or refurbish old school buildings with asbestos-containing materials.
“We comply fully with all UK regulations governing asbestos.
“All H&F schools have been surveyed and implement a strict regime including annual surveys and local ‘duty holders’ at each school to maintain a safe environment.”
Asbestos fibres can cause fatal diseases if inhaled such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, a malignant tumour.
It was often used in buildings throughout the UK in the 1950s and 80s but was banned in the 1999 after it was found to be linked to lung diseases.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says asbestos is most dangerous when disturbed or damaged so it does not pose a significant health risk if it is properly managed.
There are different types of asbestos – chrysotile (white) is the most commonly used form while crocidolite (blue) is considered the most harmful.
Many schools built before 2000 will include some type of asbestos, according to the HSE.
It was used in various forms such as insulation for pipes, fire protection, ceiling and floor tiles.
In 2019, the Department for Education referred 676 English state schools and academies to the HSE for failing to give evidence they were managing asbestos in line with regulations.
Schools containing chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite
Addison Primary School
Brackenbury Primary School
Kenmont Primary School
Wendell Park Primary School
William Morris Sixth Form
The Fulham Bilingual
Avonmore Primary School
Schools containing chrysotile & amosite
All Saints Primary School
Flora Gardens Primary School
Miles Coverdale Primary School
Wormholt Park Primary School
Melcome Primary School
Old Oak Primary School
Randolph Beresford
St Paul’s Primary School
James Lee Nursery
Normand Croft Community School
St Augustine’s Catholic School
St John’s CE Walham Green Primary School
Vanessa Nursery
Cambridge Special School
St Mary’s RC Primary School
St Peter’s Primary School
Schools containing chrysotile
John Betts Primary School
The Good Shepherd RC Primary School
St John XXIII Catholic Primary School
St Stephen’s CE Primary School
Holy Cross RC Primary School
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
No asbestos found but presumed
Bayonne Nursery
Hannah Neary - Local Democracy Reporter