Asbestos in Scotland: 20 schools and nurseries in East Renfrewshire with asbestos revealed

The list, obtained by the Glasgow Times through a Freedom of Information Request, includes four secondary schools, 14 primary schools and two nurseries.

The schools and nurseries recorded by East Renfrewshire Council as containing asbestos are:

• Busby Nursery (part of School)
• Braidbar Primary School
• Busby Primary School
• Carlibar Primary School
• Crookfur Primary School
• Cross Arthurlie Primary School
• Eaglesham Primary School
• Giffnock Primary School and Nursery
• Kirkhill Primary School
• Means Castle High School
• Robslee / Our Lady of the Missions Primary School
• Springhill Primary School
• St Cadoc’s Primary School
• St Joseph’s Primary School
• St Luke’s High School
• St Mark’s Primary School
• St Ninian’s High School
• Thornliebank Primary School
• Woodfarm High School

In a bid to reassure parents, a council spokesperson said that the majority of asbestos-related materials within the buildings are "lower-risk thermo plastics and adhesives" and that regular inspections of the affected areas are carried out.

They said all “high-risk” materials have either been removed or encapsulated.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state the presence of asbestos alone should not be a cause for concern and it only becomes a risk to health when it is released into the air and breathed in.

Current regulations state that where asbestos-containing materials are assessed as being in good condition, and not in a position where they are likely to be damaged, they should be left in place and monitored.

It is only when asbestos is in poor condition or is likely to be damaged during the normal use of the building that it should be sealed or removed.

A further FOI by the Glasgow Times confirmed that there are no schools in the local authority with any known crocidolite asbestos - the form that is more hazardous to health.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The council's compliance officers use these surveys and risk assessments to ensure that our buildings are safe for all building users.

“Having identified areas with asbestos-related materials, the majority of which is deemed to be low-risk, regular inspection of these areas is carried out to ensure every building has an accurate and up-to-date log of the location and condition of these materials.”

They added: “The extremely low levels of asbestos contained within our buildings estate is managed by an asbestos management plan, which ensures strict adherence to the HSE guidelines on how to manage asbestos within buildings,”.

“The majority of asbestos-related materials within our buildings are lower-risk thermo plastics and adhesives.

“We have very few instances of asbestos insulation boards, and these materials are limited to locked boiler rooms or in loft areas outwith the areas used by pupils and staff."

“It is important to stress that all known high-risk materials have been removed or encapsulated if not able to be removed.”

A spokesperson for Clydebank Asbestos Group told the Glasgow Times the number of schools recorded as containing asbestos was “frightening” and said to mitigate the risk all asbestos should be safely removed from schools and other buildings.