BROKEN asbestos has been found in almost 50 schools across the region, with six discovered to have the most dangerous form of the deadly material.
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The data was revealed in NSW Parliament on Wednesday night with Labor outlining that more than 1000 public schools across the state had asbestos.
The Department of Education's (DoE) Schools Asbestos Register features 47 schools in this region, including six with 'friable asbestos' - a type which easily crumbles when touched.
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Those schools include Orange Public School; Mudgee High School; Gulgong High School and Crookwell Public School, along with Baradine Central and Ariah Park Central in the Orana region.
While another 41 schools in the region were listed as having 'damaged asbestos' which was breaking down and could pose a risk to children and staff.
The figures were revealed during Budget estimates for the department with Labor's Courtney Houssos outlining that 109 NSW public schools had friable asbestos.
It is literally decaying and the fibres are breaking down.
- Labor's Courtney Houssos
"It is literally decaying and the fibres are breaking down," she said.
"This is not asbestos that is sealed up in the walls: This is asbestos that is breaking down, that is underneath classrooms, that is debris, that is potentially fraying in school toilets, in staff toilets, in school libraries and halls.
"According to NSW Health, they say that broken and damaged asbestos can become loose and airborne which poses serious health risks."
Ms Houssos accused the DoE of burying the asbestos data saying it was "difficult to access" and was almost two years old.
A DoE spokesman said the health, safety and wellbeing of students, staff and neighbours was the department's highest priority.
"The Department of Education has a rigorous system of maintenance and monitoring at all schools across NSW," he said.
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"Asbestos removal is carried out as part of capital works and maintenance in NSW government schools as appropriate.
"At any time friable asbestos is suspected, the Department acts immediately to secure and remediate. This includes the removal of students from the area of concern, the engagement of an independent hygienist, air monitoring and the commissioning of licensed contractors to remove the asbestos in accordance with the Safe Work NSW guidelines."
Schools with damaged asbestos
- Bathurst West Public School
- Black Springs Public School
- Blayney High School
- Blayney Public School
- Calare Public School
- Canobolas Public School
- Canowindra High School
- Canowindra Pubilc School
- Cobar High School
- Coonabarabran High School
- Coonamble High School
- Coonamble Public School
- Cowra High School
- Cowra Pubilc School
- Crookwell High School
- Dubbo College Delroy Campus
- Dubbo North Public School
- Dubbo West Public School
- Dunedoo Central School
- Forbes North Public School
- Forbes Public School
- Gilgandra High School
- Gulargambone Central School
- Ilford Public School
- Lithgow High School
- Manildra Public School
- Meadow Flat Public School
- Mudgee Public School
- Narromine High School
- Oberon High School
- Oberon Public School
- O'Connell Public School
- Parkes East Public School
- Parkes High School
- Parkes Public School
- Rockley Public School
- Trangie Central School
- Trundle Central School
- Trunkey Public School
- Tullamore Central School
- Zig Zag Public School
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