CSDM targets asbestos

BRETT BUNDALE, The Gazette
June 11, 2008

Quebec's largest school board announced a plan to tackle asbestos in its buildings yesterday.

The Commission scolaire de Montréal will inspect asbestos levels in 24 schools over the summer. Under the $5-million plan, buildings with unsafe levels of asbestos will be renovated.

"There is no panic," said Diane DeCourcy, chairperson of the CSDM. "We are just being cautious."

The plan follows up inspections made in 1998 that identified the schools as having asbestos but, because the asbestos was sealed off and in good condition, did not pose any health risks.

The health problems associated with asbestos in schools are low, said Louise Deguire, a doctor and public health consultant.

Although asbestos can cause diseases like lung cancer, this is only after a long-term, high-level exposure, Deguire said. But there have been teachers compensated for health problems related to asbestos exposure, she said.

The English Montreal School Board audited its buildings for asbestos nearly 10 years ago.

"It cost us several million to identify and remove asbestos," said Michael Cohen, spokesperson for the school board. "Right now there is no threat."

The EMSB has regional building supervisors who regularly perform "A-Z checks" of every school, Cohen said.

Last year, asbestos was found in St. Léonard's Dante School.

"We sealed it off until school was out and then spent the summer removing it," Cohen said.

In 2006, every school in the Lester B. Pearson School Board underwent a full asbestos inspection.

Until the late 1970s, asbestos was used to insulate buildings in Quebec. It was also used in ceiling and floor tiles and other building materials.

bbundale@thegazette.canwest.com